In the lead up to the 2023 presidential election, several entertainers publicly aligned themselves with the different presidential candidates, sparking a mix of reactions from the public. Considering the economic challenges currently facing Nigerians, some individuals have expressed frustration towards celebrities who showed support and campaigned for President Bola Tinubu. OGHENOVO EGODO-MICHAEL examines the responses and current stances of these entertainers amidst the growing scrutiny and criticism
Eniola Badmus
A popular actress, Eniola Badmus, faced serious criticisms for her support of Bola Tinubu, the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, during the 2023 election. However, there was no going back for the actress, as she made it known that Tinubu was her preferred candidate. As a matter of fact, the actress often referred to the president as her father.
Just a few days to the election, the actress commenced the distribution of aso ebi (custom cloth) for Tinubu’s swearing-in ceremony. In a post on her Instagram page, she had written, “Swearing in kampala is ready. Holla if you want.”
When Tinubu was eventually declared the winner of the election, she excitedly announced her change of status as she wrote on Instagram, “Congratulations daddy… allow me to re-introduce myself.”
Badmus’ unwavering support to Tinubu has not gone unnoticed. The actress was awarded a certificate of appreciation for her contribution to President Bola Tinubu’s pre-inauguration concert.
Recently, the actress reiterated her support for the president. She told a fan on Instagram that she was still standing on his mandate and believes very much in his ability to turn things around if given the time.
Toyin Abraham
Another actress, Toyin Abraham, earned the nickname ‘Asiwaju baby’ because of her staunch support for President Tinubu.
The actress, who publicly endorsed Tinubu as her preferred candidate during the campaigns for the election, revealed some of the reasons he was her choice.
In an interview with Television Continental in January 2023, the actress claimed that she decided to campaign for the president, even without being asked or paid to do it. She said, “Because of the things he has done for my industry, he has been a wonderful man to my people.
“He has been there for people, even when they had nothing.” she said.
Shortly before the election, the actress affirmed that Tinubu was the best candidate for presidency because he had serious plans for Nigeria. In a social media post on February 22, 2023, she wrote, “For the first time, I met the incoming president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He shared some of his ideas, visions, and strategies to solve the challenges before us as a nation. Listening to him indeed renewed my hope and reaffirmed why he is my choice. Jagaban is coming!”
She also penned the president an open letter following his inauguration. In the letter, she talked about how she received insults and threats to her life because of her political choices. She also pledged to keep on supporting him. “I will continue supporting you, because I have experienced your leadership in Lagos and your achievements as a public servant. I have also admired your ability to adapt to the times, and how you have supported the dreams and ideas of so many young people,” she wrote.
However, despite the actress’ continuous support of Tinubu as president, she recently noted that the economic hardship faced by citizens was getting to her, and she could not explain how she felt about it.
Olaiye Igwe
A veteran actor, Ebun Oloyede, aka Olaiya Igwe, did the unthinkable last year in a bid to show his deep support for Bola Tinubu in the run up to the 2023 election. The actor went naked on a beach to sing praises and campaign for Tinubu. Revealing that Tinubu saved his life after he was diagnosed with nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) without knowing him, the actor invoked the river god amidst thunder and lightning effects.
The video was however met with lots of criticisms from netizens.
Meanwhile, the actor unapologetically gave reasons for his actions days after his naked outing at the beach. In an interview on Television Continental, he stated, “I was sleeping that day, and the voice came to me and said, ‘Please stand up. You said you love Asiwaju, and he has been assisting you.
‘Stand up. Go and do this, this and this for him’. I am an artiste but a bit of a politician. So, I said okay, as an artiste, I can do it.”
However, the veteran recently made a u-turn and apologised to Nigerians for going naked on the beach to campaign for Bola Tinubu.
In an interview with a broadcaster, Kola Olootu, in February 2024, Olaiya clarified that his apologies did not mean he regretted campaigning for the president. He said, “Some people are saying I regret campaigning for Tinubu. I do not regret campaigning for Tinubu. I will do it again if I have the opportunity.”
Seyi Law
A popular comedian, Oluwaseyitan Aletile, popularly known as Seyi Law, recently revealed that he lost over 200,000 social media followers because of his support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 election.
The comedian was one of the entertainers who constantly declared his committed support for Tinubu. Just like some other entertains who openly canvassed support for Tinubu, the comedian has faced criticisms from many Nigerians, with some even boycotting his works.
In a recent interview on ‘The Honest Bunch’ podcast, the comedian stated that it was unfair for people to keep calling him out over the economic situation in the country, adding that he never asked Nigerians to vote for President Tinubu.
He said, “I never said ‘vote for Tinubu’. Go and check. Seyi Law did not make the 8.9 million people that voted for him. I am just one of that number.”
He however wrote an open letter to the president on February 19, 2024, which was posted on his X account, urging him (Tinubu) to address the pressing issues in the country. The comedian added that he would not hesitate to criticise the president when needed. He also emphasised that he would rather stay with a visionary leader like Tinubu than settling for short-term comforts that soil the future.
“I would rather stay with a Moses through the wilderness to Canaan than eat meat and drink wine in slavery in Egypt at the expense of my children’s future,” he said.
Lege Miami
An actor, Kehinde Adams, aka Lege Miami, also declared his support for Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general elections and has not relented in showing him full support till date.
Seyi, the son of the president personally thanked Miami for lending his voice in the course of Tinubu’s presidential pursuit last year. In a video post, Seyi had said, “I want to say thank you so much for everything you do, I want to say thank you for the faith you have in our president and I guarantee you, President Bola Tinubu will not fail.”
Lege believes strongly in the works of the president and has taken his time to appreciate him for the works he has done so far. He once said, “Mr President is doing well. Asiwaju is doing well. I have nothing bad to say about him. The truth is that we’re feeling his impact. That is why people are talking about him. I want him to continue the good work.”
To show his affinity for the president’s family, Lege also recorded a song titled, True Friend, in which he sang about his friendship with Seyi.
