MERIT EKELEME
Celebrities have the right to freedom of speech and a right to vote like everyone of us all, however, this is just as many schools of thought also posit that based on this, celebrities have the power to influence the general populace positively and otherwise, and with that power comes responsibility.
Consequently, they also have the ability to influence political issues. They are well known by the masses and have full potentials of pulling Nigerians to themselves as some youths idolize them. These celebrities include Nollywood stars, award winning musicians and popular individuals topping other fields of the entertainment sector of this country.
All over the world, it has been noted that celebrities from entertainment world have been getting into politics, some for political positions while the others have been involved in political campaigns which is more like endorsing candidates. Nigerian citizens should have their own say and opinion about political issues but when people start listening to what celebrities think becomes a problem because being a star does not automatically flood one’s knowledge with political “wisdom and understanding”.
When these stars say something or show total support for a candidate does not mean they are right or the candidate is the best choice, celebrities have huge biases. Nigerians however, should find a way of getting basic information about these candidates from unbiased news organizations in politics not just from the lips of celebrities.
It is quite unfortunate that due to the extent of which these stars have influenced Nigerian citizens, they do not bother making personal research, they just accept what these celebrities have said about the political candidate “in question” and conclude he is the most suitable. Stars are not restricted in giving their opinions but they should also encourage people to search for facts as well, not by just what they think.
Politicians on the other hand, have been known to use some of these celebrities for rallies, campaigns, promotions of their candidature and so on. This has the power to stimulate the opinions and emtotions of an average electorate who because of that celebrity opt to take sides with a political candidate he might have not been interested in from the onset. This is more like an endorsement of these stars on the political candidate and due to the fact these stars have a large group of youth following them would be easily swayed or motivated by the star’s endorsement.
It is mandatory for these stars to know they harbour a unique power an average citizen doesn’t have; they also have a large platform to speak from. While some have a well versed knowledge in politics, majority tend to express bandwagon knowledge and obvious bias. Just as celebrities producers coach them on actions in public; their words carry more weight with devout fans.
As earlier said, they have an idol role to youth these days, the good, bad and ugly all stick with impressionable youth. With so much power to influence they should be neutral in opinions publicly.
These politicians associate with celebrities and cultivate the celebrity status thereby, pulling the crowd and gaining more votes, this apparently should not be done. When you see celebrities coming out for political events, it brings a different demo, a different group of people into politics, it even brings people who probably where not paying attention to politics and makes them interested.
According to a study from the University of Tennessee, celebrity’s opinion can impact a candidate’s campaign.
Consider this; have we taken time to find out the motives of these political candidates and these celebrities getting involved in their campaigns? Is it all about making a difference as they say or its involving profit making, endorsement, buying of votes.
As we all know, Nollywood actors are paid to act, are they campaigning for profit making, or they think giving a candidate an endorsement shows the candidate is really the best choice?
Nigerian citizens don’t go into depths of these issues, if these celebrities are paid for this it becomes more like the candidate is buying votes in the shadows of these stars. And poor Nigerians who are so star struck would definitely support the opinion of their favourite stars at the detriment of their own opinions and views, some people would go ahead to vote for the star quality not even the candidate himself.
We should wake up to reality, stars are also citizens and have the equal freedom of speech and the right to vote but their opinions of suitable candidates should be kept to themselves, they should put an end to endorsing any candidate knowing the weight of Nigerian youths who look up to them and think their opinions are the best.
They should instead keep encouraging peace and stability in the voting process and then, they should go drop their own votes and other Nigerian citizens would do likewise. Not to opt through social media to speak for or against any candidate.
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