2023: Screen celebrities in the political battlefield

They are not the only screen celebrities that threw their hats and scarf in the ring in the wake of electioneering. Several Nollywood actors and actresses expressed their interest to contest various political positions in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

As things stand now, nomination windows have closed across parties. So, only those who have their names firmly inked on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) list of candidates for the 2022 general elections are eligible to contest.

So far, these top Nollywood practitioners –Funke Akindele, Tonto Dikeh, Femi Branch, and Hilda Dokubo — have walked their way to the start line and are only waiting for D-Day to prove that for them, it is beyond make-believe.

Funke Akindele
THE news of her emergence as the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate for Lagos State came to a lot of people as a surprise. Some of her fans concluded that the PDP flag bearer, Olajide Adediran aka Jandoor, wanted Olufunke Akindele to merely endorse him.

But they got a shocker when Jandoor formally announced the successful actress, producer and director as his running mate and Deputy Governorship candidate for the 2023 Lagos State governorship election.

In a video shared on her Instagram page, Akindele confirmed that she is indeed the running mate to the Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran. She said: “Over the years, a lot of young people have been ignored, victimised, maimed for daring to have a dream. I use this opportunity to call out all well-meaning residents of Lagos, especially the youths. It is indeed time to use our numerical strength to our full advantage. It is time to take our rightful place in matters that concerns our lives and our future. It is time to rally ourselves and support our own.”

The social media space quacked. Congratulatory messages poured in for the Badagry-born actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Many on social media commended her decision to step into the ring, while a few have remained sceptical about her chances and that of her principal in the 2023 election.

But Akindele, star of many hit flicks including Egg of Life, Jenifa and Omo Ghetto assured that she and her principal stand a very good chance to make a difference.

In another video she shared on her Instagram page Akindele said, “I am not unaware of the cost of this assignment on my vibrant career, which I must now necessarily put on hold. My resolve is that no sacrifice is too much for the actualisation of the urgent mission to rescue our people and our dear state.”

Since she was unveiled as the running mate for the gubernatorial candidate of PDP in Lagos state, the 44-year-old mother of two has been combing the nooks and crannies of Lagos, mobilising the grassroots ahead of the start of political campaigns.

The University of Lagos Law graduate also announced that she was taking leave off acting, so she can devote more time to supporting her principal.

“My decision is not just to accept this huge responsibility but to also work tirelessly and complement Jandor’s burning desire to see our dear Lagos live up to its full potential,” Akindele said in another video.

Tonto Charity Dikeh
CONTROVERSIAL Nollywood actress Tonto Charity Dikeh has her scarf in the ring. In fact, when she mentioned on her social media handles that she has emerged as the running mate to the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Rivers State, Tonte Ibraye, for the 2023 election, a lot of her fans thought she was merely pulling their legs.

This was how she announced her emergence: “I thank Mr Tonte Ibraye the Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Rivers State for nominating me as his running mate. We are looking forward to investing massively in social protection, creating a social value system for young people, increasing women’s inclusion in our governance system, supporting small businesses and strengthening our traditional institutions to be active players in the drive to bring sustainable development to the good people of Rivers State.”

Her principal, Ibraye, won the ADC governorship ticket during the primary elections in early June. Congratulatory messages poured in from her fans when she took to her social media handles to share a picture of her and Ibraye displaying their certificate of return. She followed the picture with this post: “History has been made.

Yesterday, June 24, 2022, I took a political bold step to accept the Deputy Governorship slot under the platform of ADC. I gladly received my certificate of return presented by Chief Ralph Nwosu the ADC National Chairman, which officially confirmed my nomination as running mate to Hon Tonte Ibraye.

As a youth and the youngest deputy governorship candidate in Nigeria, I promise to live up to expectations and assiduously with all stakeholders as long as this project is a concern. My aspiration is God’s divine arrangements and projects, not a desperate one. Please join and work with me as we make this history together. Let’s get to work.”

Like Funke, Tonto Dikeh has taken leave off acting to concentrate on electioneering.

Femi Branch
ACTOR Femi Branch has his hat in the ring. The Ogun State native recently resigned his position as the vice president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Southwest Zone to pursue his ambition as the running mate of the governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in Ogun State.

The stage and screen actor has since relocated to Ogun State to pursue the higher mandate of a Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate of the National Rescue Movement, (NRM), Ogun State.

Hilda Dokubo
VETERAN Nollywood actress, Hilda Dokubo has her scarf in the ring. The stage and screen actress, trainer, and philanthropist is a Labour Party candidate for the seat of Asalga/Akulga Federal Constituency in Rivers State. The outspoken Dokubo who has moved base from Lagos to Rivers has expressed optimism that she will not only be elected, but the party will take over the state in 2023.