As Nigeria edge closer to deciding its leaders in the 2023 general elections, many celebrities have shown interest in running for public offices.
Nigerian celebrities have never shied away from trying their hands-on politics despite the criticisms and backlashes that follow.
Here is the list of Nigerian celebrities that will be contesting for different offices in the forthcoming elections.
- Desmond Elliot
The 48-year-old actor cum politician served in the Lagos State House of Assembly under the All Progressives Congress (APC) after he contested and won the Surulere constituency in the 2015 general elections.
Despite the various support he garnered during his campaign, the lanky actor came under criticism by social media users during the End SARS movement in 2020.
In a viral video circulated on the internet, he criticized social media users and influencers, stating that if the Nigerian state doesn’t stop social media, social media will destroy the Nigerian state.
However, he apologized after several backlashes from the followers of the End SARS movement, stating that his emotions got the better of him.
Desmond Elliot is seeking a third term as a state legislator representing the Surulere Constituency ahead of the 2023 elections.
- Olubankole Wellington
Olubankole Wellington, popularly called Banky W, a Nigerian R&B singer and actor cum politician, has never hidden his ambitions of being the change the youths are yearning for.
In 2019, the 41-year-old contested for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives on the platform ‘Modern Democratic Party (DMP)’, but lost to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Ahead of the 2023 general election, Wellington decamped from the MDP to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and won the party primaries to represent his constituency in the House of Representatives.
- Tonto Dikeh
Controversial Nigerian actress Tonto Dikeh has recently announced her new status as a running mate to the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rivers State.
The River State governorship candidate of the ADC, Tonte Ibraye, picked the 37-year-old as his deputy ahead of the 2023 election despite her history of fracas with spouses, colleagues and friends.
- Funke Akindele
The latest name that emerged from the stream of celebrities contesting in the 2023 general election is Funke Akindele.
News emerged on Wednesday that the 44-year-old actress has emerged as the running mate for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Convener of Lagos4Lagos, Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, won the governorship ticket representing the PDP in the state and has chosen Funke Akindele as his deputy.
- Caroline Danjuma
Nigerian actress Caroline Danjuma, also known as Carolyna Hutchings and Caroline Ekanem, is the latest celebrity to have joined the league of politicians.
The 35 years old actress was unveiled as the running mate for the African Action Congress (AAC) party for the Akwa-Ibom gubernatorial election.
Caroline shared a picture of a campaign poster on her Instagram page, with the caption, “To serve and to honour in loyalty and in truth to Akwa Ibom and Nigeria. So help me God….”
More names are expected to surface in the coming days, as Nigerians are open to more celebrities emerging for various public offices in 2023.
