Why I shunned requests to join politics - Nkem Owoh

Veteran actor, Nkem Owoh, has said despite attempts by people to lure him into politics, he rejected the bid because he might get to heights where he would become afraid and get infected by the ‘disease’ affecting Nigeria’s political system.

Owoh, who described himself as a fearless person in a chat with Midweek Entertainment, also said he shunned politics because he likes using his personality to make people happy.

Giving his views on the forthcoming election, the actor said, “I will just go and vote. I have tried to reject Nigerian politics in its entirety even though I know there are still some good people inside the polity, but the system is like a diseased mesh.

“People have tried to draw me into politics but I know that if I put my head into it, I will be infected with the disease and I don’t want it. So, I prefer to stay at the flank. The country will become better when we have reasonable leadership in all directions. And soon it is going to come because I can see the rumples.

“My neck cannot carry it (politics). The thing is, I like where I can smile; you see that I am smiling and you are smiling. Also, I travel and move out alone as I am not afraid of anything. If I were to be in politics, I would have probably gotten to the height where I would be afraid and I don’t want to be afraid.”

Owoh said the film industry was bedeviled by lack of finance and recognition by policymakers, adding that the trajectory had changed because policymakers had started recognising Nollywood and its practitioners.

The comical actor said, “The film industry, and the entertainment industry generally, you don’t see quarrels between them but go to the political field and you will see the mesh.

“Generally, in the film industry today we have the problem of finance and the problem of recognition by policymakers. But now, the policymakers know us because we contribute to the GDP of the country. The policymakers are now looking into this direction knowing that this is one of the sources of making money apart from oil.”