In early 2023, a group of Yoruba Nollywood veterans publicly supported Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential bid. Their endorsement was framed as cultural pride, elder wisdom, and a return to trusted regional leadership.
But two years after Tinubu’s victory, many of those same actors are back in the headlines—this time, expressing regret.
The shift is rooted in three core issues:
- Severe economic hardship since May 2023
- Neglect from political elites post-election
- Public backlash and reputational damage
Actors like Aminatu Papapa, Alapini Osa, and Lalude have now distanced themselves from the Tinubu administration—each for personal, financial, and emotional reasons.
Why Did Nollywood Support Tinubu?
The initial endorsements were not unusual. In Nigerian politics, entertainers are often recruited to sway public sentiment.
But this was different. These were veteran Yoruba actors, not online influencers.
Many were not paid, and supported Tinubu out of ethnic and regional loyalty.
Their audiences were rural, working-class Nigerians—those hit hardest by subsidy and currency reforms.
Their presence in the campaign lent credibility, especially in Southwest communities where Nollywood elders are deeply respected.
Who Are the Faces of Regret?
Several actors who once campaigned hard for Tinubu have now made U-turns. The most vocal include:
1. Aminatu Papapa (Bukky Raji)
- Actress and market trader
- Campaigned passionately for Tinubu in 2023
- Her rice business collapsed as food prices surged
- Publicly recanted her support in 2024
- Stated she was never paid but supported him in good faith
2. Alapini Osa (Ganiu Nafiu)
- Suspended film projects to campaign for Tinubu
- Felt used and abandoned after victory
- Criticized the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, for ignoring Southwest in youth programs
- Said campaigners were ignored post-election
- Faced online trolling after expressing regret
3. Lalude (Fatai Adetayo)
- Participated in Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu campaigns
- Expected post-election support (car, funds)—none came
- Claimed campaign leaders disappeared after victory
- Publicly voiced disillusionment in 2025
These actors reflect a broader undercurrent of cultural frustration and political disillusionment.
OTHERS WHO HINTED REGRET
Lege Miami
- Known for supporting APC pre-election.
- Post-election, made mixed remarks about economic conditions.
- No formal apology, but social media behavior reflects discomfort.
Olaiya Igwe (Ebun Oloyede)
Regret Type: Apology for a specific campaign act
Details: After going unclad on a beach in 2023 to pray for Tinubu, he posted a video apology—admitting it was a divine revelation but expressing regret for how he did it.
Clarification: Though he said he wouldn’t regret campaigning again, he did apologize for the nudity itself.
The Silence of Other Celebrities
While some veterans spoke up, younger celebrities have remained mostly quiet—or even doubled down in support.
Still supportive or silent:
Toyin Abraham
- Openly endorsed Tinubu in 2023
- Faced massive backlash online
- Has since turned off accounts comments section and avoided political remarks
Eniola Badmus
- Allegedly part of Tinubu’s campaign media team
- Refuses to publicly express regret
- Faces regular trolling and public jeering
Seyi Law
- Strong Tinubu advocate
- Said he would “vote him again”
- Endured ridicule but hasn’t reversed stance
These celebrities likely enjoy:
- Better financial security
- Political proximity
- Corporate endorsements to shield from fallout
In contrast, the older actors face daily hardship without institutional support.
Public Reaction: A Reversal of Sympathy
- Once loved, the actors who endorsed Tinubu became targets of ridicule after the economy worsened.
- Many Nigerians expressed anger, saying these actors “sold out.”
- Their public apologies sparked mixed reactions—some forgiveness, some mockery.
- Social media users reminded them of how their endorsements helped sway the poor.
- Others said regret was “too late” and accused them of hypocrisy.
- For actors who built careers on cultural credibility, this backlash cut deep.
Cultural Loyalty, Political Abandonment
In Yoruba culture, public loyalty carries moral weight. Endorsing a political figure is seen not just as a personal decision but a communal responsibility.
Veteran actors expected:
- Recognition
- Cultural ambassador roles
- Artistic or social investment in Yoruba cinema
- At minimum, gratitude
What they allegedly received instead:
- Silence from Tinubu’s government
- No direct appointments or grants
- Neglect by campaign mobilizers like MC Oluomo
This emotional rupture—between loyalty offered and abandonment received—is part of what fuels their regret.
Consequences Within Nollywood
The fallout has affected more than reputations—it has deepened industry divides.
Veteran actors are distancing themselves from state actors
Some are pushing for independence from political affiliations
There is growing distrust in celebrity-political alliances
Newer actors are wary of public endorsements going into 2027
For some, the experience has become a turning point.
The Economic Policies That Sparked Regret
Their regrets didn’t emerge in a vacuum. Tinubu’s administration introduced drastic reforms, including:
Fuel subsidy removal
Petrol price jumped from ₦185/L to over ₦650/L
Increased transportation and production costs
Naira floating policy
Exchange rate plunged from ₦450/$ to ₦1,500/$
Import-dependent businesses collapsed
Food price inflation
Bag of rice rose from ₦25k–₦30k to over ₦120k in some areas
Actors who relied on trading or small business were affected
Electricity tariff hikes
Home and production studio bills doubled
Industry production slowed down
For aging Nollywood actors with no major endorsement deals or steady incomes, these shocks were devastating.
What This Means for 2027 Elections
The political regrets of Nollywood elders have important implications for the next cycle.
Key projections:
- Fewer entertainers will endorse candidates without formal contracts
- The public will scrutinize endorsements more aggressively
- Tribal loyalty may no longer override economic realities
- Candidates may turn to grassroots or policy campaigns over celebrity influence
Even within the Southwest, where Tinubu enjoyed overwhelming support, entertainers may face skepticism if they return to the campaign trail.
Final Reflection: When Endorsement Meets Consequence
The story of Nollywood actors and Tinubu’s presidency is no longer just about who supported whom. It has become a wider meditation on power, trust, and what happens when cultural loyalty collides with political abandonment.
For veterans like Lalude and Alapini, the past year has offered painful clarity: in Nigerian politics, loyalty is cheap and memory is short. What remains is a wounded class of cultural icons grappling with public ridicule, economic hardship, and broken expectations.
Their regret is more than personal—it is national.
And in that, they now speak for millions.
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