The electoral season in Nigerian politics is here again, with personalities vying for elective posts strategising for party primaries. Nine months to the 2027 general election, A few entertainment industry practitioners are also in the fray. In this report, SAMUEL ABULUDE writes on how practitioners in the entertainment industry are vying for elective posts.
The applause has faded, but the cameras continue to roll. This time, the script is the Constitution, the stage is the campaign trail, and the actors are playing for keeps. From Desmond Elliot in the Lagos Assembly to the near-miss of Funke Akindele in 2023, Nigeria’s entertainers are no longer content with jingles and endorsements. They want seats.
Since 2015, entertainers have given political posts a shot, and only a few have gotten the votes needed. Others have been appointed to support the governor’s administration as Commissioners and Special Assistants.
The involvement of actors, theatre practitioners, and musicians in politics has not, in a holistic sense, added much to governance in Nigeria, but it could be argued that they have not been encouraged to run for political office either.
Entertainers Vying For Political Posts In 2027 Election
Presently we have the serial Lagos House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot going for the fourth term to represent Surulere 1 Constituency in the state assembly. Desmond faces an uphill task to win the primary election, as other contestants vying for the same post seem to have the backing of stakeholders in the constituency, including the Chief of Staff and former speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Another member of the entertainment industry contesting for an elective post is Foluke Daramola.
Hon. Foluke Daramola-Salako is vying for election to the House of Representatives, Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 1. On 2 May 2026, she formally presented her Expression of Interest and nomination forms to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Oshodi Party Secretariat.
Funke Adesiyan had shown interest in running for the post of the House of Representatives seat for Ibadan South-East/North-East Federal Constituency in Oyo State under APC, but in April had withdrawn from the race after “certain reflections and high-level consultations,” adding that it was a personal and well-considered move.
In Delta State, it was gathered that a producer is seeking an elective post in the House of Representatives; the identity of the person has not yet been ascertained.
For these three industry members, it is not yet known whether they will get the nod or win their party’s primary election to represent it.
Before the 2027 Election Season
In the 2023 election, the likes of Bankole Wellington, known as Banky W, and Funke Akindele contested for the House of Representatives seat in the Eti-Osa constituency and the Deputy Governor of Lagos State under the People’s Democratic Party, respectively, but neither won. Only Desmond Elliot secured his third-term membership in the Lagos Assembly.
Actor Kenneth Okonkwo is a politician presently under ADC not known if he is going for an elective post. He was the media chief in the Labour Party, working for Peter Obi’s mandate in the 2023 presidential election, but has severed his relationship with the former aspirant.
Entertainers have been known to be appointed to the post of Special Assistants/Advisers to Governors or to elected officers in the federal government.
In the present administration, Eniola Badmus is presently the Special Assistant to the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives on Social Events and Public Hearings.
Mercy Johnson was appointed Special Adviser to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo on Public Engagement and Advocacy in February 2026.
Laide Bakare was appointed Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Osun State Governor on Entertainment, Art, Culture, and Tourism in February 2024.
Abdulgafar Ahmed Abiola, popularly known as Cute Abiola, has been the Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Creative Industries since 4 November 2022.
Afrobeats musician, David Adeleke, known as Davido (David Adeleke), holds two key roles within the Osun State Government led by his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke. He serves as Chairman of the Osun Sports Trust and was recently appointed Head of Youth Mobilisation for the 2026 re-election campaign.
