10 NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE VENTURED INTO POLITICS

10 NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE VENTURED INTO POLITICS It is quite common for famous entertainers to venture into law making and become policy makers. This is no different for our favourite Nigerian celebrities. So here are 10 entertainers who have either run for offices or have been appointed into one. 1. Desmond Elliot In 2014, Nollywood star and director Desmond Elliot ventured into politics and joined the APC. The following year, he ran for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Desmond Elliot shocked everyone by winning. Months later, he was sworn into office as a member representing Surulere 01 Constituency. 2. Ini Edo In February 2016, superstar actress Ini Edo, 33, was appointed Special Adviser on Tourism to the Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. Speaking about her appointment, she said: “To be called to serve is an honour. I give God all the glory. I am grateful to my state, my Governor, every one of you with your constant prayers and support... God bless you.” 3. 9ice 9ice contested for a House of Representatives seat in Oyo State in 2015, but lost at the primaries. The musician still landed a political appointment under the former Ajimobi led administration as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth matters. 4. Banky W On November 11, 2018, Banky W declared his intention to run for the Lagos' Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria's House of Representatives, representing Modern Democratic Party (MDP), formed in 2017. On February 23, 2019, Bankole Wellington lost the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency elections to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (APC). 5. Bob Manuel Bob-Manuel Udokwu is a veteran Nollywood actor who contested the position of House of Assembly for the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state in 2015. 6. Richard Mofe Damijo Veteran Nollywood actor, RMD, was Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State from 2009 till 2015. 7. Mercy Johnson On March 15, 2017, Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie was appointed Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello on Entertainment, Arts and Culture. 8. Femi Adebayo In February 2016, popular Yoruba actor Femi Adebayo was made the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed on Arts, Culture and Tourism. “Today I was appointed as a Special Assistant to the Kwara state governor on Arts, Tourism and Culture. Thank God for an opportunity to transform my state into a foremost tourist state that will attract foreign and domestic tourists,” he announced on Instagram. 9. Kate Henshaw Veteran actress Kate Henshaw also ran for office. She however lost at the PDP primaries in Cross River State. In December 2015, Kate Henshaw was made Special Adviser, Liaison, Lagos to Cross River State. 10. Onyeka Onwenu Onyeka Onwenu is not only a renowned Nigerian singer, she was also 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.