The election season sees different politicians and political parties
adopt measures and approaches that will secure the attention and votes
of the electorate. One of such measures is celebrity endorsements and
brand association. This is why Nollywood actors and actresses, musicians
and even sports stars have been involved in the campaigns of
politicians at different levels. Gospel music sensation, Sammie Okposo
and former Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo are for instance prominent in the
presidential rallies of President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).
In Imo State, the governorship campaign rallies of the PDP candidate,
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has seen Nigeria’s football legend, Kanu Nwankwo
featuring quite prominently. In many of the local government areas
where the Ihedioha campaign train berthed, appearances by Kanu Nwankwo,
popularly known by Nigerian fans as Papilo have excited the huge crowds
to no end. The sight of him on the soapbox has thrilled the audience
with shouts of Papilo, Papilo, Papilo, renting the air to herald a brief
remark of support and endorsement he is usually accorded at the
rallies.
His presence has attracted more football fans to Ihedioha campaign
rallies whether they are PDP fans or not. In his appearances, Kanu
Nwankwo has connected very well with the ecstatic fans as he distributes
footballs, jerseys and other items branded by him. Speaking to the
mammoth crowd in Orsu Local Government Area during one of the rallies
for instance, ever smiling Nwankwo said he is proud to identify with a
man and party that love sports and football. “I am here to represent the
interests of Nigerian football. I have known Hon. Ihedioha for a long
time and I can tell you he is a man that loves football very well. In
Europe, his darling team is Arsenal and back home here he supports the
team all of us love to watch and I am talking about Heartland.
This is why I am here and I hope at the end of the day our collective
efforts to see to the greatness of football in Imo State will not be in
vain”, he stated. These gestures and endorsements rightly set the stage
for the governorship candidate to get the ears of Imolites and trust
Ihedioha as he takes advantage to market his programmes and plans for
Imo State to a receptive audience.
Apart from the value of drawing the crowds and getting attention,
Papilo’s presence at the rallies is also a major attestation to
Ihedioha’s love of sports and his plans for not just soccer but all
sporting activities if elected into office. The PDP candidate has for
instance spoken of reintroducing school sports in the state and
rekindling the dwindling fortunes of Heartland Football Club, the
hitherto soccer brand of Imolites. Indicated clearly in the Ihedioha
governorship manifesto are: establishment of football academies in
partnership with the private sector to train our footballers and provide
job opportunities for our youth in Nigeria and market their skills
abroad; adequate funding of Heartland Football Club and partnering with
the private sector for the development of other football clubs in Imo
State; and re-introduction of competitive inter-school sports for
character molding and talent sourcing. For the Ihedioha governorship
campaign, Papilo has become the face of proposed rejuvenation of Imo
State sporting glory.
Culled from Thisday
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