In precisely one month from today, April 29, President Goodluck Jonathan will hand over the mantle of leadership to the President elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.
This transition of power may likely affect some showbiz personalities currently holding federal government appointments as they might all step down with Goodluck or perhaps back out of politics, at least, for now.
According to the list compiled by Expressng, the political life of five of Nigerian’s notable celebrities would never remain same after May 29.
Onyeka Onwenu
She is often referred to as an ‘elegant stallion’. Onwenu is an ageless Nollywood actress-cum-singer who has been the official musician for most presidential gatherings lately.
The ‘One Love’ crooner was appointed as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development, NCWD, Abuja.
This development made her to campaign vigorously for the incumbent president before the March 28 presidential election, which the President lost. Onyeka, who put in all she got, including paid adverts to ensure the continuity of Jonathan’s government, may have resorted to fate ahead of May 29. She is one of the few artists whose political career may remain dimmed in the next dispensation.
Ibinabo Fiberesima
Another actress who would be deeply affected is no other than Ibinabo Fiberesima. She is no doubt one of the many Nigerians who were heartbroken following the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan by Buhari in the March 28 Presidential election.
As the first female Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president, Ibinabo was appointed into the board of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, by President Jonathan. She however came under heavy criticisms by Nollywood buffs for dragging the motion picture industry into politics by using its actors to campaign for Jonathan.
The recently married actress, who led 80 Nollywood delegates to Aso Rock for a courtesy visit to President Jonathan, making him their Grand Patron, flew abroad after Jonathan’s defeat as she knew her time was up. Ibinabo may be the last actress to be considered for any position under the incoming administration.
Obi Asika
The Storm Records boss was appointed in the last minute by President Jonathan as his Senior Special Assistant on Social Media.
Obi Asika replaced Reno Omokiri, who was the Special Assistant to Jonathan on New Media in what is pretty much the same office. However, Asika’s appointment and his huge online presence could not save his boss from defeat on March 28.
The Anambra State-born entertainment personality? founded the famous Storm 360 Limited in 2008 alongside Olisa Adibua. Asika has however reached the climax of his political career and may want to return to his business of entertainment.
Richard Mofe Damijo
Journalist-turned-actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, famously known as RMD is no doubt one of the longest serving entertainers in the present administration.
RMD has been the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Nigeria under the government of Emmanuel Uduaghan since 2009.
Until his appointment as Commissioner, the ex-Concord reporter was the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment/Talent development where he used his wealth of experience in the entertainment industry for the development of Delta State.
Bongos Ikwue
Idoma-born music star and ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’ crooner, Bongos Ikwue has been enjoying a quiet lifestyle in his Otukpo country home for a while now.
At a point, he was rumoured to be having serious financial crisis before he resurfaced with a 70-tracker album entitled, The Way It Is. The Double K Resort boss was recently appointed Chairman of the board of the Nigerian Film Corporation by the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan. His age may count for him this time around as the incoming government may likely keep him.
Aside his age, his political affiliation was at no point clearly defined, even as he never made any awful utterances against the opposition.
Kanayo O Kanayo
Veteran actor, Kanayo O Kanayo is one of the few entertainers who have been benefitting from the leadership of the President Goodluck Jonathan. His stanch support for the outgoing government earned him an appointment as board member of one of Federal Government’s parastatals. The ace actor is currently a member of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
KOK, as he is fondly called, has been one of the major ‘bridges’ between the FG and Nollywood. With the emergence of Buhari as President-elect, KOK may have started arranging some files in his office ahead of the May 29 handover if the board is not dissolved before then. (Credits: Maryjane Eze, Nigeriafilms.com, Expressng, Techloy).