Veteran Nigerian actor Ganiu Nofiu, widely known by his stage name Alapini, has publicly expressed regret over supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, citing neglect and a lack of recognition for his efforts.
In a recent interview on ‘African A-List’, the respected Yoruba movie star opened up about the disappointment he feels nearly two years into Tinubu’s administration. He revealed that he and over 100 other actors both seasoned veterans and young talents, put their careers on hold to actively campaign for Tinubu across the country, motivated by the president’s previous contributions to Lagos State and the Yoruba film industry.
“We had to abandon our work for two months to campaign for Tinubu in 2023. We led the campaign genuinely because of Nigerians’ well-being and not for personal gain,” Alapini stated.
“We supported and committed ourselves to the campaign thinking our Messiah had come because we loved Tinubu following his positive contribution to the industry.”
Despite their enthusiasm and sacrifices, Alapini said the actors have received no form of appreciation or compensation since Tinubu assumed office.
“And we were not compensated, this is two years of his administration. Probably they are not yet in the right frame of mind to do so.”
The actor also took aim at Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, questioning why his philanthropic efforts seem concentrated in Northern Nigeria while allegedly neglecting the Southwest, the region from which both his father and many campaign supporters hail.
“Will Seyi Tinubu say he didn’t see the old actors during the campaigning? We were more than 100, both old and young that campaigned for Tinubu. We walked around campaigning without being given anything for it. We just did all of that out of love.
“But Seyi is running around the northern part of Nigeria to pay their hospital bills. Aren’t there sick people in Yoruba land (Southwest) too? How many hospitals has he visited in Yoruba land?”
Alapini’s comments come amid growing discontent in the country over economic hardship and rising insecurity, further fueling frustrations among citizens and supporters who feel abandoned. His bold remarks have sparked conversations across social media, as many resonate with the sense of betrayal and dashed hopes that accompanied the election campaign promises.
