The former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi has come out to state reasons why Nigerian celebrities are not supporting their own who have shown interest in politics.
According to him, financial selfish interests have made Nigerian celebrities distance themselves from supporting the political ambitions of their colleagues in the entertainment industry.
OsunDaily News learnt that Amadi’s reaction follows speculations that Nollywood stars, entertainers and celebrities appeared to have distanced themselves from supporting the political ambitions of some of their colleagues like Funke Akindele and Tonto Dike, among others.
Recall that both veteran actresses were picked as running mates of governorship candidates in two states contesting for the 2023 general election.
Funke Akindele was picked as the running mate to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr Olajide Adediran aka Jandor, while Tonto Dikeh was picked as the running mate to the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State, Tonte Ibraye.
Other celebrities vying for different positions in the 2023 general election which is just less than 100 days away are Yul Edochie, Kenneth Okonkwo, Abolore Akande, a.k.a Nice, Bankole Wellington, a.k.a Banky W and Desmond Elliot among others.
However, OsunDaily News gathered that while it seems most celebrities have pitched their tents for candidates in the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Labour Party (LP), they have remained silent over supporting their colleagues vying for political positions.
OsunDaily News recalled that some Nollywood and Kanywod movie stars were in Jos on Tuesday to show solidarity and support to the APC flagbearer, Bola Tinubu.
They had come out in their numbers to honour Tinubu at the flag off of his presidential campaign in the Plateau state capital.
Amadi, who is also a political analyst, told the Daily Post that the competition among professionals, especially in the entertainment sector is very high, as most celebrities earn in different capacities depending on their profiles.
He advanced that “Most of these actors and singers depend on politicians and corporate entities for endorsement and oftentimes they are more concerned about what they will benefit. And if they are going to support one of their own, it means they are going to take a position against the more commercially profitable parties that are competing.
“If Funke Akindele wasn’t running, she would probably be supporting Atiku, Tinubu, Peter Obi or some party that has the capacity to pay them for their endorsement, support or other forms of advocacy they do for them.”
