Buhari vs Atiku: Nigerian celebrities and the candidate they are supporting in 2019

As the 2019 general elections draw closer, a lot of notable Nigerian celebrities have publicly taken sides with political parties and candidates of their choice. While some are in absolute support of the incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), others are in support of Atiku Abubakar and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Unlike in 2015 when many stars staunchly advocated for the candidate of their choice, using their celebrity status to attempt to influence the public via public campaigns, theme songs, rallies, social media messages and more, 2019 have seen many of the celebrities keep mute as some prominent entertainment figures too have decided to be neutral and not take any sides in the elections drama.
Though, we witnessed some vocal outputs from Davido who strongly supported his uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP during the Osun State gubernatorial elections which he lost.
Here is presenting a list of entertainers who are actively supporting one party, candidate or the other, and we also take a look at those who have chosen to be neutral as Nigeria decides in 2019.
Kate Henshaw: Veteran actress Kate Henshaw contested at the PDP primaries in Calabar state but did not win. However, in December 2015, Kate Henshaw was made Special Adviser, Liaison, Lagos to Cross River state. The actress as a PDP member will be all out to support Atiku in 2019.
Desmond Elliot: Desmond, a seasoned actor and producer in the Nigerian movie industry contested for a seat in the Lagos state house of assembly in 2015 and won. He was sworn into office at the Lagos State House of Assembly as a member representing Surulere 01 Constituency. The ace Nollywood actor will be out to support APC and Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.
9ice: Singer, Abolore Akande popularly known as 9ice contested in 2015 for the House of Representative seat in Oyo State but lost at the primaries. The musician still landed a political appointment under the current Ajimobi led administration as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth matters. He will be out to support his party in the 2019 general elections.
Richard Mofe Damijo: Nollywood veteran actor, Richard Mofe Damijo was Commissioner of Culture and Tourism in Delta State from 2009 till 2015. He is a member of the PDP and will be out to support his party come 2019.
Hilda Dokubo: Ace Actress, Hilda Dokubo was one of the first Nigerian celebrities to get into the political game. She was appointed Special Adviser on Youth Affairs to the former Rivers state governor, Peter Odili in the early 2000’s under the platform of the PDP and she will be supporting the party in 2019.
Ini Edo: In February 2016, talented Nollywood actress Ini Edo, was appointed Special Adviser on Tourism to the Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel who is a member of the PDP.
Femi Adebayo: Popular yoruba actor, Femi Adebayo was made the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed on Arts, Culture and Tourism in February 2016. He will be pulling his weight for his party to have Atiku take over from Buhari’s APC in 2019.
Mercy Johnson: On March 15th 2017, Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie was appointed a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Entertainment, Arts and Culture. As she serves under the APC government, it is apt to believe she will be supporting Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.
Kenneth Okonkwo: Veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo is a staunch Buhari supporter who has been vocal amid the criticisms the APC led government has witnessed in recent time. The actor once stated that the worst of President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight year in office, if he gets a second term, would be better than the past 16 years the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had control of power. Okonkwo also said he owed no one any apology for supporting President Buhari.
Davido: Nigerian music sensation, Davido is a devout PDP supporter who made his interest known when he rolled out the drums in support of his uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP in the 2018 Osun State governorship election. Davido has been a friend of the PDP after that incident and have been spotted with big names in the party which includes, River State governor, Nyesom Wike, and Ebonyi State governor David Nweze Umahi. Most recently, OBO met with the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and we trust he will be all out campaigning massively for the PDP candidate in the 2019 election.