Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, continues to gain momentum heading into the February 25th elections as he receives the endorsement of top Nigerian in a high-profile gathering of creative industry professionals – actors, producers, filmmakers, musicians, influencers, broadcasters, and other entertainment industry stakeholders.
This endorsement, which was made public at a private event held at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, February 9, 2023, comes on the heels of a string of high-profile endorsements of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate from the Ijaw Nation and the ethnic nationalities of Southern and Central Nigeria through the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum.
Present at the event were Nigeria’s international music duo, Psquare, Peter and Paul Okoye; Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw; Ayo Makun (AY The Comedian); Barr. Kanayo O. Kanayo, a Nollywood veteran who is also a member of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Council; a veteran actor and comedian Okey Bakassi; Nollywood star Chidi Mokeme, veteran actor Hanks Anuku; TV actor Charles Inojie, actor Zubby Michael; veteran broadcaster Olisa Adibua; TV personalities, Frank Edoho and Kachi Offiah who both served as compere of the event; several others.
In his address at the event, Mr Obi reiterated his commitment to ensuring an enabling environment to support the creative arts, which he described as ‘Nigeria’s fastest growing independent industry’.
Obi, who has emerged as the frontrunner in the upcoming election, significantly expanding his lead over his two main rivals, according to a Bloomberg poll published on Friday, also declared that he was proud to be associated with the entertainment industry as they represent “what is best about the creativity, ingenuity, and enterprise of Nigeria”.
“This election is an existential one for Nigeria. This election is not about the tribe. No tribe is safe in an insecure Nigeria. I have seen anarchy. Anarchy consumes everybody. Nigeria cannot afford to sink into anarchy,” Obi said.
“We must understand the atmosphere in which we are going to the ballot. We cannot afford to allow our country to go the way it is going. We have to stop this trajectory. This election is our opportunity to take back Nigeria and secure our land.
“The first election in there will be a generational change. The presidential candidate, vice presidential candidate, and the national chairman of the Labour Party were all born after the independence of Nigeria.
“This generational change is significant. We need a Nigeria that works for all. This election will be about competency. We must elect the person who has the capacity to drive the vehicle to the desired destination,” Obi declared.
Speaking specifically about his plans for the creative industry, Mr Obi, promised to ensure the rule of law that protects the intellectual capital of creators as he acknowledged the pivotal role that sports and entertainment play in bringing about unity, peace, and growing the country’s economy.
Also, speaking at the event, Valentine Ozigbo, Mr Obi’s Special Adviser, commented on the hardworking and tireless nature of the Labour Party Candidate and said that the powerful turnout at the event, given the short notice, was a sign of the overwhelming acceptance of the Obi’s candidacy.
While affirming his support for Obi, Okey Bakassi, a veteran actor and comedian, declared that the people are the “structure” that the other parties boast about.
“Though I am a card-carrying member of a different party, today, I am Obidient 100%. We are the structure they talk about,” Okey Bakassi said.
“Like my party, it is me they used to build a structure, and they are hoping on us; they don’t know we have ported,” he added to laughter from the audience.
Several entertainers who endorsed Mr Obi for president revealed that they decided to throw their weight behind his candidacy because of his sterling achievements in both the private sector and public service.
Some top-ranking Labour Party leaders who attended the event include Prof Pat Utomi, the Founder of The Big Tent and the Centre for Value in Leadership; Arch Gbadebo Vivour-Rhodes, the Labour Party governorship candidate for Lagos State, among others.
The event was planned by Funke Anikulapo-Kuti and the team from the Victory Action PAC, a political action committee.
Peoplesmind
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