By Oluwatosin Ajayi
The Nigerian government has continued to look to entertainers for political appointments. A number of celebrities have also shown interest in politics. RMD served as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, and Desmond Elliot is the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly. We shall now look at a few others currently holding political positions.
Abdulgafar Abiola
Known for his stage name, Cute Abiola, the popular skit maker was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kwara State on Creative Industries on Friday, November 4, 2022. He announced the appointment on his social media handles, appreciating his fans, family, and friends for the love and support shown him. In a post which he shared on his YouTube channel, he wrote, “It is safe to assert that you all are my greatest source of strength.
“Dear Kwarans, I deeply appreciate you for believing that I have the required potential to make the necessary changes.
“With my new appointment, I promise to put efforts and energy towards realizing your dreams in the area of creativity and entertainment in Kwara State.”
Bob-Manuel Udokwu
Udokwu is a Nigerian actor, director, producer, and politician. On April 19, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State appointed him as the Special Adviser on Entertainment, Leisure, and Tourism.
Before this, he served as the Senior Special Assistant on Creative Media to Peter Obi and served as an aide of the movie and entertainment industry to Willie Obiano. His current appointment makes it the third time he’ll serve as a political appointee for three governors in the state. Udokwu has featured in movies like Adesuwa, Living in Bondage Karishika, etc.
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk
Simply known as Iyanya in the music industry, he was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State in 2021. Some of his albums are The 6th Wave, Applaudise, Desire.
Shina Peller
He is an entrepreneur, industrialist, and member of the 9th National Assembly. On February 23, 2019, he became the representative of the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency in Oyo State. Peller is the chairman and CEO of Aquila Group of Companies and Club Quilox.
Oloye Akin Alabi
Alabi is an author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He is a member of the House of Representatives for the Egbeda/Ona Ara federal constituency in Oyo State. He became the member of the 9th National Assembly in 2019. The House of Representatives member is the founder of NAIRABET, Nigeria’s first betting platform. He is also the author of the book, ‘How to Sell to Nigerians’.
