Popular actor and politician John Dumelo has responded to critics who perpetuate stereotypes about creatives entering politics.
After his victory as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in the December 7, 2024 elections, following two previous attempts, Dumelo addressed the ongoing belief that entertainers aren’t fit for political roles during an interview with Hitz FM.
He emphasized that a person’s profession should not limit their ability to serve the public. “I see it as a little bit disrespectful because you have lawyers, you have doctors, you have businessmen in Parliament. At the point in time, we even had hairdressers in Parliament. But it’s about representing your people. It’s not about your occupation or what you do. Your career shouldn’t define you or shouldn’t put you in a certain box. It’s about how well you represent the people,” he explained.
Dumelo also highlighted the paradox of politicians seeking the endorsement of entertainers during campaigns. “The same politicians are the same people who come to entertainers to endorse them during political seasons and political campaigns because they know how powerful entertainers can be.”
With a light-hearted response to the stigma, he concluded, “And so for me, that stigma is just one of those things that, when people say it, I just laugh about it. But all in all, it’s for us to be in Parliament and succeed and represent the people.”
