Celebrity Activism: Potential Roles The Celebrities Can Play In 2023 Election -By Paul Adeyemi Stephen

Ahead of Nigeria 2023 general election, celebrity activism can be a way to combat political apathy. It is important to know that, a celebrity is a famous person; an entertainment celebrity is not the only kind of celebrity we have, therefore, social media influencers, academician, religious leaders are all celebrity in their respective space. Political literate and illiterate anticipate their favourite celebrity to endorse a candidate, so they can follow suit. Celebrities are role model capable of influencing political decisions of their fans and government. Different political parties candidates seek the influence of credible celebrities to bolster their confidence and credibility among the electorate. The influence celebrities exert over their fans can have impact on the participation and results of 2023 election. This piece will focus on potential role celebrities can play in 2023 election.

First off, a role celebrities can perform is the creation of awareness to tackle poor participation of citizens during election. Poor political participation of citizens can be: apathy of Permanent Voters Card(PVC) registration and collection, sensitisation of electorates on danger of votes selling, danger of political apathy and so on. For instance, Rinu Oduala, the popular “End SARS” activist and social media influencer uses Twitter to campaign against political apathy and sensitive electorate on PVCs registration and collection. Also, the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello creates a platform for LASU students to register and collect PVCs. In rural areas, creation of awareness on poor political participation should be given attention to facilitate equal participation and representation.

What is more, persuasion of qualified voters to vote on election day is a role celebrities can take on. Some voters don’t need to be persuaded to come out and votes because they are actively involve in political activities and politics. Other electorates may need to be persuaded through social media, television, newspaper and radio advertisement and enlightenment. Celebrities can use their social media handles and podcasts to persuade eligible voters to go vote on election day. Their presence at the polling booth is away to encourage the voters to come out and vote. For instance, the presence of Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG )General Overseer Pastor E.A Adeboye at a polling booth will influence lots of people to go votes at the same polling booth.

Moving on, celebrities can assist electoral officials for fast, easy and transparent election. Celebrities can aid the electoral official by setting up the voting station, checking voter identification, issuing ballots and instructing voters on how to mark and fold ballots, serving all voters in a friendly and efficient manner, receiving marked ballot from voters and so on. All this activities reduce cumbersome work for electoral officials which aid easy, fast and transparent election.

In addition, celebrities supporting credible candidates. Celebrities endorsement of a candidates should be based on credibility and not mere advertisement. Celebrities should endeavor to endorse credible candidates because fans transfer their love and sentiment about a celebrity to the candidates. Some voters don’t follow political activities nor politics but are probable to support any candidates endorse by their favourite celebrity. Celebrities that have higher influence on voters especially the ones with prior political activism should do genuine endorsement and not mere advertisement.

Finally, celebrity activism is a way to bolster societal political participation. Since the influence of celebrities can be use to garner political participation, we also need them to participate more in political activities and politics. Roles like creation of awareness to tackle poor political participation, persuasion of qualified voters to vote, assisting electoral official for fast, easy and transparent election and supporting credible candidates will play a huge role in 2023 election.