Duker Fiberesima Arinze
At the heat of the campaign for the 2015 elections were actors and actresses who followed politicians around helping them get more followers. This year’s elections saw more of these actors involved in political endorsements than anytime in Nigeria’s history. They have become appendages to campaign trains. This however is not surprising. Nigerian films have become very big and almost every actor has a notable face. They are crowd pullers.
The President Jonathan campaign team probably had the highest number of actors attached to it. Led by the embattled Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president, Ibinabo Fiberesima, they all have been advocates not only at rallies but also on Social media. Some of them include; Segun Arinze, Onyeka Owenu, Omoni Oboli, Kate Henshaw, Monalisa Chinda, Zik Zulu, Fidelis Duker, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Patience Ozorkwo, Alex Osifo, Zack Orji, Francis Duru, Gideon Okeke, Mercy Johnson, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze and Lancelot Immasuen amongst many others
But as it is, the road has come to an end for the presidential campaigns, and the band of celebrities following politicians has disbanded. Many of them have gone ahead to attach themselves to governorship candidates while the majority have gone back to face their profession. Box Office, however, caught up with some of the actors who were staunch followers of President Goodluck Jonathan, to speak about what they feel about his defeat at the polls. They were all full of praises for him.
Speaking with Ibinabo she said, “he (Jonathan) is a very good man. Nigeria has just lost the one who was brought to us to set a solid foundation for greatness. The reactionary forces overwhelmed him especially from within. My friend and brother GEJ is a good man. It is well with him. We fought a good fight. Thanks to all of you who believed in him. It was not a wasted confidence. He has more to give to the world.”
Segun Arinze, was also very close to the presidential campaign. He was the MC at many of the campaign functions. When asked about Jonathan’s defeat, he sent this eulogy to Box Office. “I know a man who isn’t involved in elections with bloodshed. His ambition is not worth anyone’s blood or death.
I know a man who is ready to accept defeat provided he sets good electoral process. I know a man who has a true spirit of sportsmanship by reaching out to the winner. I know a true leader. I know the first Nigerian president to conduct free, fair and credible elections regardless of the outcome. He is President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR). A true democrat and statesman.”
For movie producer, Fidelis Duker, who is a unrepentant in his support for Jonathan, he says, “to all who stood all through with GEJ, I commend you guys. It’s only four years away to either keep the general or ask him to leave for non performance. However, as most Nigerians have said, the winner remain Nigeria. The SMS from my principal yesterday was unusually short “To God be the Glory” like we say in Nollywood but I promise you when the people of Otueke will receive you on 29th May, I will honour you with my presence. You have more than a chapter in the history book of Nigeria. Remember you started as a deputy governor and rose to highest office. What more do you want? God has been Good to you. Extend my regards to Mama Peace too. To our new president, the General, congrats again and I wish all the success you deserve for the next four years as me and my party become the opposition. That to me is the beauty of democracy.
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