As the 2011 general elections draw nearer, the decision of some Nollywood stars to collect N300, 000 each before campaigning for President Goodluck Ebelo Jonathan ambition has torn the Nigerian movie industry apart.
Some of the movie stars have formed a group christened Nollywood Stars for Jonathan, and their aim is to shoot a commercial geared towards campaigning for the President to remain in office for the next four years with the fee of N300, 000 for each of the stars involved in it. But the move seems to have torn the Nollywood stars apart as other popular actors have declined to be part of it.
Those that are currently in the campaign group which is headed by Francis Duru include Uche Jombo, Ini Edo, Paul Adams, Zack Orji, Pete Edochie, Emeka Ike and about 30 others. Most of the actors declined to pick our calls this morning to confirm whether they are involved or not.
Speaking with P.M.NEWS on phone yesterday, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Segun Arinze, said he is not part of the move.
“I heard of it but I’m not involved. It is not that I’m against President Jonathan’s ambition, but doing it for a price is what I’m not comfortable with. I wish those involved good luck.â€
Also, the Governor, Lagos State Chapter of AGN, Ernest Obi, denied his involvement in the project.
He is also of the opinion that if President Jonathan deserves the support of Nollywood practitioners, they should do so without putting a price tag on it.
A spokesperson of Square Image, the outfit in charge of Stella Damasus-Nzeribe’s image, said the sultry actress is also not part of the project.
“Stella is more of a role model and will not do that, though that doesn’t mean she is not in support of President Jonathan’s ambition. When the time for election comes, she will vote for the candidate of her choice without making any noise about it,†Square Image said.
The decision by some Nollywood stars to campaign for the President with a fee has attracted criticisms from Nigerians, who claimed that as role models, the movie stars should not be directly involved in politics, and if they must do so, not because a candidate is ready to part with some money.
“In America, Hollywood and other showbiz stars drummed their support for President Barack Obama during his campaign, and none of them received a dime for doing that. So I don’t know why our own stars here cannot emulate good things. Does that mean they can’t support other good candidates that don’t have money?†Femi Adebodun, a movie buff asked.
—Bayo Adetu
Join The Conversation
8 Comments
Am not surprised about the list but for Pete Edochie. Please let him refute that immediately. There was also news that he colledted a car from one South South Governors, being reason he gave for stepping aside from Nollywood. I also used to hold Emeka Ike in high esteem. Surprisingly James Ikechuhwu’s name s not listed, Who are the remaining 30 though?
Dat is wat i call sycophancy 2 d highest order. Na wetin areas boys dey do survive 4 dis cn priod na it our superstars want tk ova abeg mke una allow area boys job 4 dem oo! Job no dey mkt atleast una don get money
it is becuase they do not believe in his candidature like most other nigerians
our nollyhood stars are educated stark illiterate simple as a b c
These people you called starts atr bunch of woives spoiling the image of this country,to crown it all,why were they not bold enough to defend their motives when the reporter call them on phone to elaborate more about their greediness?but other ones who are the styars simply stated their opinions.those asking for money to vote for jonathan are not are not real stars they should called nepa not stars ,,,,point of correction
Anybody should not be surprise about these kinds of people.they did desame during late Gen. Sanni Abacha.You are going to see more of them in Oct/ Nov. this year.im sorry Nigerian are the problem of Nigeria.bribery and corruption are the game.I wonder how u are able to get the information, maybe one of the people invoves was not agreed on the sharing formula.some may want more than 300k. EFCC /sss should be working on this.Gov of Chicago was guily of lying.If its in Nigeria He will be covered by authority. My land was sold in Lagos illegally by the collaboration of omo onile of Iseri back up by a notorious one Faruk( Lagos land snatcher and hire killer)after collecting 1 million Naira from unconscience buyer Mrs. Jegede.The police and Oba could not do anything about the case. I lived in abroad. Gov. Fashola pls.let there be justice save lagos from this kind of animal.
why are there demanding for money tomorrow the same people will blame the gvment after selling their right pete edochei HAAAAABAAAAA
Hollywood stars raised money for president Obama without any promise of position or appointment. I am shocked that our Niger stars are demanding monetary reward …Haba…se na hunger/ bunch of suffer heads. I guess they want there own share of the national cake. You support the man if you belief in him and his vision for the country…Oprah believed in candidate Obama and put her resources to work for him ….for nothing. We still have a long way to go in Nigeria.
You May Like
Latest
Blasphemy: Reprieve for Kano man Sharif sentenced to death by Sharia court
2021 Tokyo Olympics cancelled: Reports
Trump’s impeachment trial stalled in U.S. Senate
League Two keeper Tom King sets Guinness record for longest goal scored [Video]
Nigeria sets new COVID-19 record, posts highest cases in single day
COVID-19: Ebonyi bans night clubs, drinking joints, others
2014 Confab would have addressed divisive politics, growing agitation – Jonathan
Ganduje meets with Kano Emirs over COVID-19
BBNaija’s Ozo bags ambassadorial deal
DJ Spinall drops visuals for ‘Sere’ featuring Fireboy DML
Toke Makinwa shakes hygiene table in latest vlog
Jurgen Klopp delivers positive injury update on Virgil van Dijk
Buratai: Military achieving great success in war against Boko Haram
Shocker: Burnley end Liverpool’s over three years invincibility at Anfield
Nengi bags new ambassadorial deal
Ayra: Don Jazzy presents “all-round superstar” to the world
Zamfara Governor opens up on alleged Hilux van gifts to repentant bandits
Breaking: Ex-IGP Gambo Jimeta is dead, Buhari mourns
COVID-19: Panic in Edo as 39 healthcare workers test positive in 72 hours
Wizkid’s baby mama Shola Ogudu shows off her fiance
Bisola Aiyeola shares stunning pictures for her birthday