Nigerian celebrities who regret voting Tinubu

During Nigeria’s 2023 elections, many Nollywood stars and entertainers proudly backed Bola Ahmed Tinubu, drawn in by his “Renewed Hope” message and past record in Lagos. They believed his leadership would bring meaningful change in the country. However, mid-term into his presidency, with rising inflation, hardship and a struggling economy, some of those once-loyal supporters […]

During Nigeria’s 2023 elections, many Nollywood stars and entertainers proudly backed Bola Ahmed Tinubu, drawn in by his “Renewed Hope” message and past record in Lagos. They believed his leadership would bring meaningful change in the country. However, mid-term into his presidency, with rising inflation, hardship and a struggling economy, some of those once-loyal supporters are now speaking out in frustration, regret and continuous lamentations. Weekend Trust reports.

In the months leading to Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, many voices from the entertainment industry threw their weight behind Bola Ahmed Tinubu, believing in his “Renewed Hope” slogan and promising leadership qualities, and they campaigned passionately.

Some, like Yoruba actress Aminatu Papapa, believed Tinubu’s victory would impact struggling local economies. But two years into Tinubu’s administration, with Nigeria grappling with inflation, fuel subsidy removal, and a weakening naira, disappointment is beginning to spill into the open. 

In a viral interview on Oyinmomo TV, Aminatu Papapa opened up about her regret as she issued a heartfelt apology for supporting President Tinubu, calling it the greatest mistake she has ever made.

• Coalition movement: How coalition plans to manage bigwigs’ ambitions — Amaechi
• Food security: Late rain threatens food production

The actress explained that her decision to campaign for him was based on her admiration for his record as governor of Lagos State. At the time, she truly believed his leadership would lead to national progress. But with the benefit of hindsight, she now views that choice as a serious misjudgement.

“If they asked me the one thing I have done in my life that I regret, it was during that election time. May our means of survival never fall into hardship. When our current president was the governor of Lagos State, I was already of voting age,” she said.

“My dad used to force all of us to go get our voter’s cards and vote. During Tinubu’s administration regime at that time, he did well. My dad was not a politician but he was good at reading people. Even my dad used to say he did well despite what he went through during Obasanjo’s time.”

“That was what prompted me to support him this time around. Whenever we had meetings with him, he also promised to do well. After the elections, I had a rethink. What I regret is that we were told that they wanted to renew the hope.”

The actress tender a public apology to Nigerians, expressing her dissatisfaction with the current economy and state of the nation.

“I am taking this opportunity to plead with all Nigerians, including those who love me and those who do not like me. No one is old enough to escape experience, I am sorry. Even if you have known someone for a long time, you need to check them carefully before believing their words.”

She also made it clear she wasn’t paid to campaign for him. “It was from my heart… Now, I know I was misled,” she added.

Shortly before Aminatu’s interview gained traction online, veteran actor Alapini Oosa – another vocal supporter of Tinubu, during the campaign season, had also gone on social media to echo similar sentiments.

The actor expressed frustration that he and many of his colleagues feel abandoned and ignored, despite their full support for Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.

Speaking in an interview, he said, “We campaigned with joy, thinking our messiah had arrived, because Tinubu is someone we have loved for many years.

“We spent two months campaigning for him, entering markets, walking through remote areas, even when we weren’t political figures,” he added

The actor reflected on how his support, which came at a significant sacrifice to his career and personal life, went entirely unnoticed. He expressed disappointment over being ignored, not just by the president’s inner circle, but also the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, and the entire campaign team.

“Would Seyi claim he did not see us, the old folks, during the campaign? Was he blind to our presence?” the actor said.

Another veteran Yoruba actor Lalude, has also expressed disappointment. 

The actor said, “If we curse them, they will not escape it, even in death. We campaigned for Sanwo-Olu and Tinubu, yet we’ve received nothing. Is that fair in this one life we came to live on earth? It was MC Oluomo who invited us to the campaign camp. The work we did for them cannot go unpaid. Whoever is responsible for blocking our payment will never prosper in life.”

Nigerian rapper, MI Abaga, recently shared his views on The Manism Podcast, where he talked about the country’s politics. He said he supported the APC in the last election because he felt the PDP was very corrupt at the time.

But now, MI said he’s disappointed with how the APC has performed and that the party no longer matches what he wants in a government.

“I tweeted about the thing that happened in Benue, and a lot of people were saying, ‘But MI, you supported the APC’,” he said.

“Yes, I supported APC because at that time, I felt that the PDP government was very corrupt. I was part of the people who lifted my voice to say, ‘Let us stand and bring in democracy’.

“As a human being, no matter how much you try to be right, you will be wrong. APC, unfortunately, is not the APC of my dreams.”

This won’t be the first time celebrities have come out to express their regret for campaigning for the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress.

In a 2023 interview with Chude Jideonwo, Nollywood actor, Ibironke Anthony, known as Ronke Oshodi-Oke, had aired her regrets for campaigning for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The actress recalled how Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu allegedly gave conflicting accounts of the events during the EndSARS protests, which led her to lose trust in both him and the broader tactics of the party.

She said, “I love APC. I’m a fan of APC in body and soul. I felt APC was going to take Nigeria to the next level. Even while campaigning for them, I didn’t collect much. You understand. I wasn’t looking at the money. I was looking at what was going to happen later.”

“I knew eight years could not fix Nigeria. We all know that, but I was down during the Endsars issue. . Our governor kept saying three things at the same time. Three things! Does that make any sense to you? I’m not sorry to say this. I will say it anywhere.”

Ronke Oshodi was one of several Yoruba Nollywood stars who turned out in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during its gubernatorial rally in Lagos. She was joined by fellow actors and actresses such as Moji Olaiya, Remi Shitta-Bay, Remi Oshodi, Iyabo Oko, Eniola Badmus, Fadeyi Oloro, L’Awori, and others who publicly endorsed the party and its candidates.

A list of those who supported the current administration include Eniola Badmus, Toyin Abraham, Jide Kosoko, Olaiya Igwe, Seyi Law, Joke Silva, Desmond Elliot, Foluke Daramola and many others.