- It’s all for service to our society – Artistes
- No, it’s all about the money, say Charlie Boy, others
By ABIOLA ODUTOLA
For Kate Henshaw, one of Nollywood’s best known actresses and the Special Adviser, Liaison, Lagos to Cross River State Governor, besides corruption, a lengthy stay in office by politicians is one of the factors responsible for Nigeria’s underdevelopment.
As far as she is concerned, many of those occupying one position or the other in the country today are recycled politicians, who have lost relevance, and, therefore, have no business being in politics. This, she says, is why she decided to contest for the Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency’s seat in the House of Representative on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in the 2015 general elections, before she was appointed as the Special Adviser to the governor.
Henshaw, who declared her political interest on her 43rd birthday, says she’s not driven by financial reward, but rather, an abiding passion to improve her society.
“I have a strong interest and desire to serve my people and particularly show that there is a better humane way to do things, when you are in a position of leadership. Putting the people first and being accountable to them, as well as being accessible is my aim,” she says.
Since 2015, the Cross River-born thespian joined the growing list of Nollywood musical celebrities and showbiz operators occupying elected offices or having public appointments. Before now, the likes of Desmond Elliot; Chairman, Aquila Group, Oluwashinaayomi Peller; Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice; and Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, had declared their interest to vie for elective positions.
And they are, like Henshaw, promising to better the lot of their people. Elliot, who contested and won the Surulere 01 Constituency seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress, promised to devote his money and energy to developmental projects in his constituency and also pledged to create more sports programme, health care for the elderly, nursing mothers and children as well as an open-door feedback initiative.
Peller, another showbiz celebrity, contested and won the Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola, Iwajowa Federal Constituency seat in the 2019 election under APC.
“My focus is to ensure that institutions work and people can benefit from government services. I want to help create policies that will help diversify our economy with a renewed focus on tourism, manufacturing and youth empowerment. I encourage all young people to follow my cue and take an active role in partisan politics. This is our time. The time is now,” he says.
As impressive as some observers might view these aspirations, they are not new. Indeed, Henshaw, Eliot, Peller, and Mercy Johnson-Okojie, among others, can be said to be emulating the likes of Onyeka Onwenu, a two-time aspirant for Ideato North Local Government chairmanship; Kanayo O. Kanayo, a former Nollywood star, who was appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan as a board member of the National Institute for Tourism and Hospitality; and Richard Mofe-Damijo, former Delta State culture and tourism commissioner, who had long been associated with politics or political appointments.
And these forebears, on their own, could be said to have also drawn inspiration from notable actors and actresses abroad, who, over the years, have ventured into politics and made a success of it. Notable among them are Ronald Reagan, American actor, who rose to become president of his country; Amitabh Bachchan, the Indian actor, who contested and won an elective seat in his country, as well as Arnold Schwarzenegger, who successfully made the transition from the screen to state house and served two terms as governor of California in the United States.
While some Nigerians see nothing wrong in entertainment stars joining politics, Charles Oputa, himself a musician, is not impressed. Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, sees entertainers venturing into politics as persons unsure of their future and seeking ways to augment their income. While describing the ambition as “uncool,” Oputa likens it to the usual attitude of people dabbling into things just because others are doing it. He feels that for his colleagues to make any headway in politics, they may need to master the art of treachery, as backstabbing is common in politics.
Just like Oputa, Khareemah Oyelade, another critic, also feels that money is the main attraction for the entertainers.
“Everybody wants to go into politics because of power and money; so I feel it is the same with these entertainers. They think it is more profitable, but I pray they fulfill their promises,”
he says.
While Oputa and Oyelade remain skeptical, some others feel the ambition of the entertainers should not be dismissed with a wave of a hand. One of them is Kunle Alabi, a former executive editor of Policy magazine and one-time member of the House of Representatives from Osun State. He views the trend as a worthy challenge and wake-up call on the established politicians that it can only help bring about change in Nigeria.
“As long as you are a Nigerian, you can aspire [to] any position in the country. It is left to the public to either elect or not appoint them to those positions,” says Alabi, while adding that the people are in a better position to judge or elect their leaders.
“The entertainers could aspire and be elected because they are part of society. One thing has to go for the other. Maybe if they are elected and they finish their tenure, they can then decide to go back to their profession,” he notes.
The entertainers may find Alabi’s comment reassuring, but a number of factors may count against the rookie politicians. In a country where politics has often been described as dirty and where, as experience shows, a lot of money is required to win elections, will the entertainment stars be willing or able to match their opponents naira for naira? Or will they just go about their aspirations cleanly and make a statement that one doesn’t need to induce people with money to succeed in politics? Only time will tell.
