Over the years, the entertainment industry has always had a significant influence on the country’s politics. As the 2027 general elections approach, the interest of entertainers in the political process has continued to grow. From musicians to actors, comedians, and social media influencers, many entertainers have been called to join the campaign trail, and are publicly expressing their support for various political parties and candidates, ALAO ABIODUN writes.

As the 2027 presidential election approaches, several persons are pitting their tents with their preferred candidates and entertainers are not left out. They command millions of followers online. The large cult of followers count as a primary currency of influence.

Over time, some of these celebrities have shown their love for their preferred candidates on their social media accounts, which earned them commendation from fans. However, not all artistes embrace political patronage. Some fear being labelled partisan or losing fans.

Also, notable musicians especially Hausa and Yoruba singers have started dishing out songs to eulogise their preferred candidates. During the Second Republic, especially Moshood Kasimawo Abiola’s 1993 “Hope ’93” campaign, jingles became mainstream political tools in rallying people to vote. For many of these candidates, they are increasingly courting famous artistes to boost their appeal, and this cuts across different geo-political zones of the country.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there are 18 presidential candidates; 16 are male, while two are female. Among the political parties and presidential candidates, four major parties and candidates have won the hearts of many citizens in the country.

These parties and candidates are: former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is running under the African Democratic Congress (ADC); former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, running under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC); and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking re-election, and the Presidential Candidate of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde.

The last election saw Nigerian entertainers declaring support for different candidates, mainly along ethnic lines. For example, the likes of Kate Henshaw, Chioma Akpotha, Chidi Mokeme and others stood firmly by Obi. Others like Seyi Law, Toyin Abraham and Brymo showed unwavering support for Tinubu, while Frodd of BBNaija firmly rooted for Atiku.

Just recently, the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) named several prominent entertainers to its Entertainment and Creative Economy Directorate ahead of the 2027 elections.

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko, actresses Eniola Badmus and Bimbo Akintola, as well as Fuji musicians Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Abass Akande Obesere and Adewale Ayuba, are among the 33 members listed in the directorate.

Other notable members include veteran actors Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, Saheed Balogun, Bukky Wright, Fathia Balogun, Yinka Quadri and Tayo Sobola. The list also features Abiola Adebayo, Remi Oshodi, Foluke Daramola, Kikelomo Balogun, Bopo Oyekan Ismaila, Rasaq Yusuf, Aderinola Philips, Olamide Maja and Abbey Lanre.

Musicians and entertainers on the list include Sulaimon Alao Adekunle, popularly known as Malaika; Akorede Babatunde Okunola, known as Osupa; Temitope Adekunle, popularly known as Small Doctor; Sule Adiro Ataweye; Yemisi Falaye; Leke Babatunde Akinrowo; Kayode Fahm and Aruna Ishola.

These musicians lend rhythm and excitement to political rallies, turning campaign grounds into concert arenas and using their popularity to sway public sentiment.

Rarara, KWAM 1, others for Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu’s network of support has significantly accelerated in the past few years. He has attracted most of his supporters and admirers to him.

In the last election phase, top Fuji musicians, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), Wasiu Ajibola Pasuma, and Saheed Osupa, recorded campaign songs and performed at rallies in Southwest Nigeria.

Also, popular Northern artist Dauda Adamu Abdullahi Kahutu, with the stage name of Rarara rose to prominence during the 2015 general election in Nigeria, when he produced numerous campaign songs supporting late Muhammadu Buhari.

The singer, at different times, publicly supported or worked alongside influential northern politicians, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Kano Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

Rarara’s hit titled “Jagaba Shi ne Gaba” (Jagaban is leading/ Jagaban has won) was also released in June 2022. Another song “Continuity Tinubu”, a pro-Bola Tinubu campaign song was released in March 2025. It has garnered millions of views on many streaming platforms including YouTube.

Another song “Omo Ologo,” one of Rarara’s most recognisable tracks, praises President Tinubu as a “child of glory”, the Yoruba meaning of the phrase. The song, which blends Hausa and Yoruba elements into the artiste’s signature political style, celebrates Tinubu’s leadership persona and has enjoyed wide circulation on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. No contemporary Northern political musician has dominated that space more than Rarara.

Referred to as the King of Fuji Music, KWAM1, with the full name, Olasunkanmi Ayinde Marshal or K1 De Ultimate, was said to have discovered his talent from a tender age of 8. He joined the band of the late Fuji maestro, Alhaji Ayinde Barrister, and after learning the ropes from Barrister, he decided to go solo, releasing his first album in 1980.

KWAM1’s relationship with President Tinubu is as old as the time he released his first album as his genre of music is loved and enjoyed by many, especially in the South-West. The president is also a great fan of Ayinde; and their relationship has blossomed over decades.

KWAM1 fondly addresses the president as Akanbi. Apart from being referred to as Asiwaju, Akanbi is also the president’s epithet; and in the Yoruba cultural cosmology, someone who calls another with his praise name must have a strong affinity with him.

As the president toured the nooks and crannies of the country during the 2023 electioneering phase, Wasiu was always on the stage, especially in the southern part of the country. This is expected to be the same routine as the campaign for 2027 election continues.

Other actors that support Tinubu include Eniola Badmus, Seyi Law, Ebun Oloyede, aka Olaiya Igwe, Foluke Daramola, Fausat Balogun (Madam Saje), Faithia Balogun, Saidi Balogun, Yinka Quadri, Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello) and many others. In the last election, they not only supported Tinubu on social media, they also participated actively in rallies and other campaign activities.

Taye currency drums support for Makinde

In May 2026, Governor Seyi Makinde declared his intention to run for president under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and later emerged as the party’s candidate.

Makinde at a mega rally at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, unveiling a PDP-APM alliance and the “Reset Nigeria Movement”, Fuji musician, Taiwo Akande Adebisi popularly known as Taye Currency was one of the highlights of the event.

Taye Currency shares a political and social relationship with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State. He has actively supported Makinde’s political campaigns, including releasing praise tracks. He is Governor Makinde’s Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism.

His popular street-slang track “Were la fi n wo were” went viral in November 2025. He’s billed to perform at Makinde’s presidential rallies across states.

Meanwhile, there are limitations for Makinde’s party, and it has remain obvious. Its national structure is far smaller than that of the APC, and it has only recently begun trying to build a broader electoral network. He is yet to get the popular endorsements from entertainers and others from the Northern region.

Saleh, Jita for Atiku

The aspiration of presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Atiku Abubakar, has also received some support with the backing from some Northern singers.

A Northern-based singer, Adamu Saleh released a political song “Atiku Abubakar jirgin talakawa ADC” on February 1, 2026.

Also, popular Hausa singer Ali Jita had released a prominent campaign and support songs for Atiku during the 2023 presidential election. These songs are still being played during this current political campaign phase for Atiku.

His songs titled: “Atiku Ne Zabin Mu” is an anthem praising Atiku and declaring him the preferred choice (“Atiku is our choice”), and “Atiku ne Amsa” which is another major campaign track promoting Atiku as the response or solution (“Atiku is the answer”) for Nigeria.

A singer Paul Play, who is the Director of Entertainment for the Atiku Care Foundation, a non-governmental organisation established to take care of the underprivileged, does not hide his support for Atiku all the way from the United Kingdom where he is based.

When Atiku and his team visited the UK on January 14, 2023, Paul posted some pictures he took with the politician.

Obi’s alliance with Kwankwaso

The Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, maintains a deeply loyal base of musicians who specialize in high-energy rhythmic jingles, and this is such a huge boost for Peter Obi who is the presidential candidate of NDC.

Recently, the Obi-Kwankwaso movement constituted its presidential campaign council for the 2027 presidential election. The 59-member committee comprises zonal and state coordinators, directors overseeing mobilisation, women’s affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs, among others, but the entertainment directorate was conspicuously missing.

Tijjani Gandu, a frontline singer for the Kwankwasiyya movement recently made waves by releasing the campaign jingle “Obi-Kwankwaso Clear”.

The “Obidient” Movement is also trying to capture the northern voters and has increasingly commissioned Hausa-language Afrobeat and traditional tracks to shift sensibilities among younger northern voters.

For example, Mr DapBoy, a Katsina State-born artist gained massive attention by releasing “Lokaci” (“This is the Time”), a Hausa Afro-fusion track backing Peter Obi’s 2027 bid.

The track was strategically produced by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, to deliver a unifying message to northern youth.

Tanko wrote, “Welcome to our latest single remix album titled Lokachi (Time), sung by Mr DapBoy, a Katsina State-born artist, for the love of HE PO.

“Produced by DJ Funky G (80ties), also known as Dr Yunusa Tanko. Peace and love PO all the way. Arise and shine, a new Nigeria is Possible.”

Tanko said the track followed the earlier campaign song, “ELUUPEE,” which gained popularity ahead of the 2023 elections.

Other viral northern-sensibility tracks like “Obi Ne Mafita” (“Obi is the Solution”) have trended heavily across TikTok and YouTube, showing an unprecedented wave of southern political messaging tailored to northern rhythms

Meanwhile, estranged twin brothers and pop duo, Peter and Paul Okoye, of P-Square fame, have been quite aggressive with their support for Obi. They were vocal with their support for Obi in the 2023 elections.

Other entertainers who publicly supported Obi in the 2023 election include Nkechi Blessing, Kate Henshaw, Okey Bakassi, Hilda Dokubo, Ime Umoh (Okon Lagos), Uche Jombo, Zubby Michael, Ruggedman and Frank Edoho. (The Nation)