Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, several music, movie, TV presenters and comedy stars are working to ensure that their preferred presidential candidates clinch the top position in the country.
Many of the top stars seem to have declared openly their support for Peter Obi, who is the presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party, despite a warning issued late last year by the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN declaring that its members endorsing political candidates are not representing the interest of the organisation, many actors have continued to sell their candidates.
It is understood that the current Obidient movement ahead of the 2023 election has taken Nigeria by storm and is not only seen to be owned and pushed by average Nigerians but one that even elites, including celebrities, have bought into.
Veteran Nollywood actors Kanayo O. Kanayo, and Kenneth Okonkwo amongst other top celebrities had declared their support for the Labour Party’s candidate. Peter and Paul Okoye of the P-Square and other music stars have openly declared support for Obi as they continue to mobilize support for him. Below is the list of some popular Nigerian celebrities who have thrown their weight behind the Peter Obi presidential bid.
PETER AND PAUL OKOYE, POPULARLY KNOWN AS PSQUARE.
The legendary musicians are one of the first celebrities who came out to declare support for Peter Obi even before he decamped to the Labour Party. Peter Okoye daily screams to every ear near him about Peter Obi, and has also stuck with the Obidient even after Obi moved from PDP to join the Labour Party.
KENNETH OKONKWO
Veteran Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo is another popular celebrity who has openly supported the Labour Party candidate. Kenneth used to be a member of the national ruling party, the All Progressive Congress, APC but decamped to the LP. He was recently appointed to the Peter Obi presidential council and made the campaign committee’s spokesperson.
PETER EDOCHIE
Nollywood legend, Peter Edochie, has shown his support for his fellow Anambra man and namesake. Peter Edochie wrote on his social media page, ‘My prayers are with Peter Obi for the 2023 general election’.
CHARLY BOY
Mr. Charles Oputa a.k.a “the Area Fada” is occupying a big seat in the Peter Obi ship. He has made several posts on his Instagram page promoting Peter Obi.
AISHA YESUFU
Human Rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, is also among the supporters of Peter Obi. Although she has made it known that her loyalty is to Nigeria, Obi will surely have her support and vote in 2023.
The Co-Convener of #BringBackOurGirls didn’t hesitate to tackle the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha who called Obi’s supporters saboteurs. She expressed her confidence in the former Anambra State governor’s capacity to make Nigeria work again and she has been telling those who care to listen that they should also consider her preferential candidate.
RINU ODUALA
Activist and convener of the #EndSars movement, Rinu Oduala is throwing her weight behind Peter Obi. She took to her social media to declare her vote for him. She was also part of the rally that took place in Lagos for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
Oduala has been vocal about youths getting their Permanent Voters Card and using it to change their fortune and that of the nation in 2023. She once said, “obedience is better than a sack of rice.”
RUGGEDMAN
The Nigerian rapper, Ruggedman, has also expressed his love for Peter Obi. Since declaring his support for Peter Obi, Ruggedman goes online daily to pick a topic to discuss and use it as a reason why people should support the Obi/Datti movement.
OKEY BAKASI
Nigerian comedian cum actor, Okey Bakasi, is one of those who are carrying the Peter Obi brand on their heads. The Lagos Talks radio anchor has on several occasions used his social media platforms to preach the Obi gospel. Okey is a popular critic of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, regularly slamming the APC government for impoverishing Nigerians and lacking the will to do what’s right.
PATIENCE OZOKWOR
Veteran actress Patience Ozokwor is another celebrity who has also declared her support for the Peter Obi presidential candidacy. She was sighted along with other Nollywood practitioners, including Mr Ibu, Okon of Lagos, at a Labour Party rally canvassing support for the Obi/Datti movement.
HILDA DOKUBO
The veteran movie star Hilda Dokubo is probably one of the biggest supporters of the Peter Obi movement. She had been vocal about her support for Peter Obi since his days as a PDP member. She moved her loyalty from the PDP to the Labour Party when Obi decamped to pursue his ambition at the new party.
Dokubo is currently running for the House of Reps to represent the Asalga/Akulga Federal Constituency on the platform of the Labour Party.
CHIMAMANDA ADICHIE
Award-winning writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, endorsed Peter Obi during his 61st birthday in July. The renowned author penned a lovely note to the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party where she narrated how the chieftain has been a good family friend, about his prudence and unwavering passion to see Nigeria rise above its challenges.
She also narrated how Obi has supported her over the years and ended her personal goodwill message with a promise to cast her vote for Obi and his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed in 2023.
KATE HENSHAW
Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw has also expressed support for the former Anambra State Governor.
CHIDI MOKEME
Nollywood actor, Chidi Mokeme is famous for his hot takes on Nigerian politics online. Chidi Mokeme, currently based in the United States of America, constantly criticises the APC administration and its policies, which he usually describes as anti-people. In a recent tweet wrote, “I am with Peter Obi”. This is awesome, isn’t it?
MR IBU
Another veteran actor to have joined the Peter Obi movement is the popular comic John Okafor, better known as Mr Ibu. Mr Ibu, who was once seen at an Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu campaign meeting, recently switched allegiance and started supporting the Obi/Datti movement.
NKECHI BLESSING
Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing who used to be a huge lover and supporter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is another to have switched allegiance to support the Obidient movement. The actress had declared herself an Obidient publicly at an event in Lagos, as she debunked a report of collecting campaign funds to help canvass votes for the Asiwaju movement.
ZUBBY MICHAEL
Zubby Michael also joined the league of celebrities endorsing Peter Obi for President. The actor posted a picture of Peter Obi with the logo of the Labour party on his Instagram page. He wrote beside the picture “The man for the job”. His endorsement is coming a few weeks after many thought the actor was supporting the People’s Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar because of his affiliation with Nana Atiku, one of Atiku’s greatest supporters.
PAUL OBAZELE
Former President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) and founder of Legends of Nollywood Awards, Paul Obazele, threw his weight behind the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi after he joined his colleagues to stage a 40 Million Ballot Movement, a fundraiser for Obi to support his presidential campaign. The funds raised through the campaign will be used to fight rigging, violence and all forms of election malpractice. The actor has since been trying to convince the youths about the candidacy of the Labour Party Chieftain.
TUNDE EDNUT
Instagram blogger, Tunde Ednut, has always shown his support for the Peter Obi movement with wonderful posts on him. He criticized Omoyele Sowore after he attacked Peter Obi for travelling to Egypt to understudy the success of the Arab nation.
UCHE JOMBO
Ace Nollywood actress Uche Jombo is another celebrity to have thrown her weight behind the Obi/Datti movement ahead of the 2023 election. She revealed her political lining on social media when veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva got brutally dragged and insulted online for supporting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Jombo had called for calm while telling netizens not to insult any celebrity for supporting whoever they choose to support.
SEYI AWOLOWO
The former Big Brother Naija star, Seyi Awolowo, is one of the few southwestern celebrities to have declared their public support for Peter Obi.
Seyi is the grandson of former South Western Leader Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and his aunt is the wife of vice president Prof Yemi Osinbajo. He was recently appointed to the Peter Obi presidential campaign advisory council.
ILLBLIZZ
The Oga Boss is a very Obidient entertainer! He wrote a tweet talking about how Peter Obi has an amazing record.
EL DEE THE DON
Legendary Nigerian rapper, Eldee, has pitched a tent with Obidient Nigerian youths who have decided to take back their country from corrupt Nigerians.
El Dee wrote,” Pls tell me why you won’t vote for Peter Obi if you are a young person who wants Nigeria to change. I am really curious to understand any other logic that could be at play at the moment”.
DADDY FREEZE
Popularly On-Air Personality, Daddy Freeze, is proudly Obidient. In a recent Instagram live he said Peter Obi is his preferred candidate but he respects Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
OKON OF LAGOS
Comic actor, Imeh Bishop, otherwise known as Okon Lagos, is probably the most vocal actor when it comes to anything that has to do with the forthcoming general election in Nigeria. He is always encouraging the youth to be actively involved in politics. He was one of the actors who supported Peter Obi during the fundraiser set up for him a few weeks ago.
According to the actor, Obi may not be a saint, but among the three most prominent presidential candidates, he is the harmless one. He advised those who are fond of finding faults with others to always remember that no one is a saint but should focus on the one with the lesser sin.
FEMI JACOBS
Nollywood actor Femi Jacobs has looked beyond tribe and camped with the Obidient army.
TACHA OF BIG
BROTHER NAIJA
Tacha the ‘no leave, no transfer’ lady is also very Obidient. She wrote a tweet and added #MyPeterObi. She has also pledged $1000 to support the Obi campaign.
However, some top celebrities, including Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2face, Tiwa Savage, Ayodeji Balogun, known as Wizkid and others have remained silent, whereas many others are believed to be campaigning underground for other candidates.
-Benprince Ezeh
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