Will Desmond Elliot, Kate Henshaw, 9ice… win in 2015?

The 2015 general elections will certainly be an ‘entertainment-filled’ one with the influx of prominent music and movie artistes into politics.

Gospel singer Kenny Saint Brown, actor Desmond Elliot, and Gongo Aso singer, 9ice, have gone as far as to recently reveal the party they had aligned with, while many others (the likes of actor Bob- Manuel Udokwu and stand-up comedian, Julius Agwu) who may yet have no party affiliation have nonetheless openly disclosed their political ambitions.

Kenny Saint Brown and Desmond Elliot are both vying for a seat in the Lagos state house of assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while 9ice is vying for a seat in the House of Representatives, representing Ogbomosho federal constituency under the same APC.

Bob-Manuel Udokwu, who has been the senior special adviser on movies/entertainment industry to former governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, retained the post after Governor Willie Obiano came into office. It seems the appointment is not enough, as Udokwu is now gunning for the Anambra state of assembly, representing Idemili north constituency.

The most surprising one may be that of actor, singer and stand-up-comedian, Julius Agwu. Many will think he is joking, but to say he is eyeing the governorship of Rivers state is an expensive joke, isn’t it?.

Some think that these artistes generally stand no chance chance against the ‘tested and trusted’ politicians, and a lot more are wondering why they are suddenly interested in politics.

Could it be that the fame and wealth that these entertainers have acquired in their various fields are less fulfilling than the power that political positions give?

Could it also be that their careers in the entertainment industries are nosediving, and they consider politics the escape route?

Or could it be that these new set of ‘politicians’ are out to effect change, the kind of change, the ‘tested and trusted’ politicians have yet to effect?

Speaking with Enconium Magazine, Udokwu stated that there was nothing alarming about entertainers venturing into politics.

“People ask that a lot. Why are people raising eyebrows on it. A lot of people from other sectors have also gone into politics,” he said.

“There shouldn’t be an exception. In the US, a lot of entertainers are into politics. Why are journalists always asking this question?

“We are often called political actors. I don’t see anything wrong in entertainers going into politics. I am proud I put Nigeria on the world map as an actor. There is nothing bad in it if I do that in politics as well.”

Singer/actor turned politician, Tony Muonagor (Tony One Week) made history in 2011 as the first entertainer to win an elective position in Nigeria when he won a seat at the Anambra state house of assembly.

The stage is certainly set for an interesting election year come 2015.

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