The candidate for governor of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Akwa Ibom State, Iboro Otu, chose Nollywood actress Caroline Danjuma as her running mate.
AAC is a left-wing political party created by 2019 Nigerian presidential hopeful and editor of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.
The ‘Real Housewives of Lagos’ star was born to a Scottish father and a Nigerian mother.
Mr. Otu, a renowned music engineer, said he chose the actress as his running mate after months of searching and researching the right person for the job.
He wrote on Instagram; “At a time when credible and effective leadership is sorely needed in this part of the world, I have spent all my last few months searching and researching to find the right person for the job, one who would help in the great job of moving a vast majority of our people from extreme poverty to inclusive prosperity.
“I found this candidate in chief, Mrs. Caroline Uduak Danjuma. A businesswoman and philanthropist from Eket who has won the world in her line of work.”
A party statement suggests that Ms. Caroline was chosen based on the need to give equal rights to women in politics.
“Women should not request a particular percentage in governance; our AAC party believes in equal rights between women and men. What a man can do, a woman would do better,” the AAC statement said.
Fundamental reason
Mr. Otu, president of ALERT Africa, in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, defended the choice of Ms. Danjuma as his running mate.
He said Ms. Danjuma is popular in Akwa Ibom, and the party has scheduled radio interviews and public meetings to help “put the name in the face” of people who may not know her running mate.
“She is bringing a lot to the table; she is a lover of education and an advocate for women,” she said.
Mr. Otu said the AAC is popular nationally, especially with the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Sowore, “doing a great job in fighting injustice.”
Omoyele Sowore and African Action Congress (AAC) candidate for Governor in Akwa Ibom State, Iboro Otu
He said that the party has structures in Akwa Ibom to give some surprises in the 2023 elections.
The actress, who has not yet made an official statement, posted a campaign poster on her Instagram page.
She captioned it; “Serve and honor Akwa Ibom and Nigeria with loyalty and truth. So help me, God.”
She is also the fourth artist to be featured as a running mate for a gubernatorial candidate.
With the announcement, he joins the likes of Funke Akindele (Lagos PDP), Femi Branch (Ogun NRM), and Tonto Dikeh (Cross River ADC), who will be visible at the polls in February 2023.
Unknown public figure?
However, the Nollywood star and AAC lieutenant governor candidate seems to be less well known in Akwa Ibom.
“A lot of people don’t know her in Akwa Ibom,” Uyo journalist Iniobong Etuk told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.
“She rarely comes to the state; she does not associate with the people of Akwa Ibom, unlike other Nollywood stars from here,” she said.
“I have never heard of such a party. I am not sure if it is in Akwa Ibom state,” Ms. Etuk said of the AAC.
Ndifreke Enefiok, another journalist from Uyo, made a similar comment about Ms. Danjuma.
“No no, she is not popular in Akwa Ibom. No problem.”
Mrs. Enefiok was shocked when Mrs. Danjuma was announced as Mr. Otu’s running mate.
He said he used to think that Ms. Danjuma was from Cross River State.
“If you mention AAC, I’m not sure even 20 people know about the party in Akwa Ibom,” she said.
“The candidate (for governor) is even more popular than the party (in Akwa Ibom).”
Background
The actress rose to fame in 2004 when she made her screen debut in the Chico Ejiro film ‘Deadly Care’.
After a while, he took a break from the film industry and returned in 2016, producing and starring in the romantic thriller Stalker.
The first of three children, she studied Environmental Protection Management, Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Calabar.
He also obtained a Certificate of Achievement in Organizational Behavior from Edinburgh Business School in 2016.