Atiku, Tinubu, Obi divide Celebs -By Blessing Enenaite

As the 2023 presidential election approaches, several persons are pitting their tents with their preferred candidates and entertainers are not left out. Saturday Beats takes a look at some celebs, who have taken sides with their preferred candidates

PSquare, Bakassi lead Obidient team

Hip hop singers, Peter and Paul Okoye, have openly declared their support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi. In several posts on social media, they said they are ‘Obidient’ – a name Obi’s supporters are called.

In June 2022, Paul made a post on Instagram endorsing Obi. He wrote, “My fellow Nigerians, please get your permanent voter cards. If we miss this opportunity, it is another eight years of backwardness till 2023. #Obidiently.”

On his part, Peter stated, “Please can somebody give him a chilled bottle of beer? Dear Nigerians, this is not about the North or South here. We are no longer interested in party politics but the qualities of the candidate! If we miss this opportunity, we might never get it again. #PeterObi2023.”

Also, popular comedian, Okechukwu Onyegbule, aka Okey Bakassi, has said that he will be supporting Obi’s presidential ambition. On August 1, 2022, the comedian tweeted, “I don’t want Atiku or Tinubu to fail, I just want Nigeria to succeed. I will support and vote for Peter Obi to fix Nigeria, so that in their old age, Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu won’t be going to London for medical treatment and Atiku won’t live in Dubai. #SaveNigeria.”

Brymo, Badmus, Kosoko for BAT

Singer, Olawale Oloforo, aka Brymo, endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Twitter on May 31, 2022. A Twitter user, Ochikolota Umunwanyi wrote, “This Jagaban (Tinubu) candidacy has truly helped me see that so many Nigerians actually don’t care about purposeful or diligent leadership.”

On his part, Brymo commented, “Yet, he (Tinubu) is the one with a plan and we all know that. Let a city boy be president for once! I have never met the man or anyone who represents or is acquainted with him, or even his relations and political affiliates. We should stop trying to kill them off for being old.”

The singer’s comment caused uproar on social media as many people bashed him for supporting the former governor of Lagos State.

Actress, Eniola Badmus, has also declared her support for Tinubu. In March 2023, blogger, Tunde Ednut, asked his followers to pick their preferred presidential candidate. Badmus wrote in the comment section, “Tinubu all the way.” She got a lot of backlash for her comment but it did not deter her from further supporting Tinubu. She also said she was unbothered by the comments from people.

On his part, veteran actor, Jide Kosoko, has said that he is supporting Tinubu to actualise his presidential ambition because the politician has been of great help to him and the movie industry.

In an interview with Saturday Beats on July 2, 2022, he said, “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not just a leader of note, he is a father figure and benefactor. I have benefited from him and his wife. As a matter of fact, I have had a relationship with his family for a long time. He is a focused leader; a leader of all leaders.

“He has personally developed many people in our industry, especially those that had health challenges. For example, when actress, Moji Olaiya, died in Canada, he was responsible for everything that had to with transporting her body back home.

“The film industry has enjoyed Tinubu, as he was the first person to give us several hectares of land in Badagry to construct a film village. The succeeding administration gave us reasons the place was not conducive enough, and immediately, an effort was made to give us another place in Epe.”

Okonkwo, Frodd, Lamba Atikulated

A former Big Brother Naija housemate, Cross Okonkwo, endorsed the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, after he described the politician as his father. In an interview with Sunday PUNCH on July 3, 2022, Okonkwo said he called Atiku his father because the former Vice-President of Nigeria had been there for him.

He said, “I have known him (Atiku) for many years. Me and his children have lived together and shared the same bed. When I did not have anywhere to go, he took me in. He has also taken care of me to an extent. That is the true definition of family. I know him very well and I believe he means well for the youth. I also think he is the best presidential candidate. I was attacked after I made that tweet (about Atiku being my father), and I wondered why.”

It will be recalled that Okonkwo and some former BBN housemates, including Bright Osemudiame, aka Brighto, and Chukwuemeka Okoye, aka Frodd; and popular skit maker, Promise Anagbogu, aka Lord Lamba, recently met with Atiku. Their visit was linked to the 2023 presidential election as there were speculations that they were invited to endorse Atiku.