Nottooyoungtorun: 15 Famous Entertainers turned politicians
NEWS DIGEST – President Muhammadu Buhari has finally signed the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill into law. Barely two days since he promised to do so, the President signed the bill at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
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The bill was passed by the National Assembly last year to alter Sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the Constitution to reduce the age qualification for president from 40 to 30; governor from 35 to 30; senator from 35 to 30; House of Representatives membership from 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly membership from 30 to 25.
The action of the president spells good news for Nigerian youth especially the ones that have been nursing political ambitions but have been restrained by the age barrier.
Several key figures in the entertainment industry have signified interest in political office holding over the years. While some are still nursing the interest, some have had their plans crystallized into fruition while others have tried and failed. There is no doubt however that with the new development vis-a-vis the required age for political office holding, there would be an increase in the number of young entertainers targeting political positions.
The NEWS DIGEST presents you a list of Nigerian Celebrities who have looked to carve a niche for themselves in politics.
Kate Henshaw
Veteran actress Kate Henshaw contested at the PDP primaries in Calabar state but did not win. However, in December 2015, Kate Henshaw was made Special Adviser, Liaison, Lagos to Cross River state.
Desmond Elliot
Desmond, a seasoned actor and producer in the Nigerian movie industry contested for a seat in the Lagos state house of assembly in 2015 and won. He was sworn into office at the Lagos State House of Assembly as a member representing Surulere 01 Constituency.
9ice
Singer, Abolore Akande popularly known as 9ice contested in 2015 for the House of Representative seat in Oyo State but lost at the primaries. The musician still landed a political appointed under the current Ajimobi led administration as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth matters.
Bob Manuel
Bob-Manuel Udokwu is a veteran Nollywood actor who contested for the position of representative for the Idemili North Local Government Area for Anambra state in 2015 and won.
Richard Mofe Damijo
Nollywood veteran actor, Richard Mofe Damijo was Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in Delta State from 2009 till 2015
Ini Edo
In February 2016, talented Nollywood actress Ini Edo, was appointed Special Adviser on Tourism to the Akwa Ibom State Governor.
Femi Adebayo
Popular yoruba actor, Femi Adebayo was made the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed on Arts, Culture and Tourism in February 2016.
Mercy Johnson
On March 15th 2017, Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie was appointed a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Entertainment, Arts and Culture.
Nkiru Sylvanus
Nkiru Sylvanus was one of the first set of celebrities to venture into politics. In 2011, she was appointed the Special Adviser on Lagos Affairs to the Imo State Government. She was later made Special Adviser on Public Relations to the same state Government.
Kanayo O Kanayo
He joined the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and had his eyes on the seat of House of Representatives, member for Ahiazu/Ezinihite Mbaise Federal Constituency in 2011. However, he lost in the primary election.
Tony Tetuila
Anthony Olanrewaju Awotoye, popularly known as Tony Tetuila, who hails from Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, contested for the 2015 National Assembly election for the House of Representatives’ seat of his home constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which he later lost.
Muma Gee
Gift Iyumame Eke aka Muma Gee contested for the Federal House of Representative in Abua/Odua and Ahoada East LGA of Rivers State under PDP’s big umbrella.
Dayo Adeneye
Popular TV presenter and co-founder of Primetime Entertainment, Dayo Adeneye popularly known as D1 contested for the Ogun State House of Assembly at the Odogbolu constituency under the APC but lost.
Bukky Wright
Veteran actress, Bukky Wright also joined politics when she contested as a member of the House of Representatives at the the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, under the Social Democratic Party.
Onyeka Onwenu
Onyeka Onwenu is not only a renowned Nigerian singer who was the former chairperson of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture. She was appointed by former President Jonathan as the executive director/chief executive officer of the National Centre for Women Development in September 2013.
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