Nollywood Actors/Actress Who Pursued A Career In Nigerian Politics & Their Success Rate

Nigerian politicians like their counterparts across the world have started to realize that they can do more than just entertainment to bring the necessary change they wish to see in the Nigerian political system.

Some entertainers have reached for a higher calling beyond their career and have decided to dive into politics. Here’s a list of popular entertainers that decided to go into politics whether by appointment or by election. Let us know what you think at the end of the list by leaving a comment.


 

Kate Henshaw is a Nigerian actress. In 2008 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

The Cross-River State born Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw made her intention to venture into politics in July, 2014. She contestred for the Federal House of Representatives for Calabar Munical/Odukpani Federal Constituency under the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
Score: Lost

Desmond Elliot

Desmond Elliot is a Nigerian actor and director, and politician who has starred in over two hundred films and a number of television shows and soap operas.

Desmond Olusola Elliot said he was going into politics to give back to society and to teach the youths how to live a meaningful life. Desmond is a seasoned actor and producer in the Nigerian movie industry and contested for the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015 under the APC.

Score: Won

Bob-Manuel Udokwu

Bob-Manuel Udokwu is a Nigerian actor, director, producer and politician. In 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement award at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Bob-Manuel is a leading and pioneer Nollywood actor who is a native of Idemili North Local Government in Anambra. He contested in the 2015 general elections into Anambra State House of Assembly to represent Idemili North constituency.
Score: Won

 

Julius Agwu

Ace comedian, Julius Agwu decided to dive into politics and when he announced it, it definitely felt like a joke to his fans because he is a comedian and known to make people crack their ribs with his hilarious jokes.

He however said the party he will contest under will be unveiled in due course. He is one of Nigeria’s finest comedian and also a singer. The comedian didn’t go on with the political ambition as it was alleged that he received threats.
Score: Dropped

Richard Mofe-Damijo

Richard Mofe Damijo is a Nigerian actor and politician. In 2005 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He is a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Nigeria.

Richard Mofe Damijo started the trend of actors and entertainers venturing into politics. RMD apppointed to serve as commissioner by former Delta state governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Score: Appointed

 
Popular Port-Harcourt based comedian, real name Daniel Chibuzor Nnwoka announced his intention to go into politics via social media. Dan D’Humorous is a multi-talented stand up comedian who delivers his jokes in a unique way.

He wanted contested for House of Assembly for Ikwerre constituency but didn’t go ahead for reasons known to him.
Score: Dropped

 

9ice

9ice is a Nigerian musician. 9ice is a south-westerner from Ogbomoso in Oyo State but he grew up in the district of Bariga in Lagos.

He announced his intention to contest in the 2015 elections, September 10, 2014. He is a Nigerian singer known for hit song ‘Gongo Aso’ crooner and he hails from Ogbomoso, Oyo state. He will be contesting for the Federal House of Representatives in Ogbomosho North/Ogbomosho South/Orire Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Score: Dropped

Kenny Saint Brown
Popular gospel singer, Kenny Saint-Brown announced her plans to go into politics sometime last year and it came as a surprise to her fans.#

She contested for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly under the APC.
Score: Lost

Nkiru Sylvanus

Nkiru Sylvanus is a popular Nollywood actress who also dived into politics.

She has gotten three political appointments so far, after she joined the cabinet of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha in 2011 as his Special Assistant on Lagos State Affairs, and later became his Special Adviser on Public Affairs.
Score: Appointed

Tony Tetuila

Anthony Olanrewaju Awotoye, better known as Tony Tetuila, is an Afro hip hop artist from Nigeria. His name, Olanrewaju, means “My wealth is the future”.[1] Formerly a member of The Remedies (along with Eedris Abdulkareem and Eddy Montana), he split with the group and has been successful as a solo artist.

Tony Tetuila contested in 2014 as a politician for Kwara State’s House of Assembly under the APC party, but lost at his party primaries.
Score: Dropped