Nollywood Star Aremu Afolayan Voices Unwavering Support for President Tinubu
Veteran Nollywood actor Aremu Afolayan has made a public declaration of his strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that complaints about Nigeria's economic hardship do not concern him personally. The younger brother of acclaimed filmmaker Kunle Afolayan explained his position in a recently surfaced online video, where he emphasized his focus on tangible governmental achievements.
UAE Visa Ban Removal as Primary Motivation
Afolayan specifically highlighted President Tinubu's role in securing the removal of United Arab Emirates travel restrictions that had been imposed on Nigerian citizens since 2022. According to the actor, Tinubu personally traveled to the UAE, engaged in diplomatic discussions with the country's leadership, and successfully negotiated the lifting of the ban.
"When the UAE banned Nigerians from entering their country, it was President Tinubu who went there, met with their president, and helped lift the ban," Afolayan stated in the video. "Nigeria has many problems, but most Nigerians seem more focused on criticising him and his efforts. The good work President Tinubu is doing is why I support him."
Shift from Previous Criticism to Current Support
This public endorsement represents a significant change in position for the actor, who in 2024 had strongly condemned Tinubu's economic reforms. At that time, Afolayan criticized both the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, arguing that these policies worsened living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
In the recent video footage, Afolayan appears at gatherings aligned with efforts to promote Tinubu's political future, demonstrating his evolved perspective over the past two years. The actor explained his current stance by saying, "When people say the country is hard, I don't really care because I'm doing very well."
Mixed Reactions from Nigerian Netizens
The declaration has sparked diverse reactions across social media platforms, with Nigerians expressing contrasting viewpoints:
- @GOATED_CR7 commented: "He's speaking fact. You can't point to any spoils that started under Tinubu. He's working and doing everything to set this country on the path of greatness."
- @AbiolaAutos wrote: "Yes president Tinubu is trying his best, but in security aspect, I rate him low. The northern politicians are not even taking the security of that region seriously."
- @Ghostfeed001 reacted: "When they are benefiting they don't care about those that's affected, Nigeria is just filled with greedy and self centred people."
- @uchebakaadi stated: "I support him. He is trying to unite Nigerians."
Personal Context and Previous Entertainment Industry Dilemmas
Aremu Afolayan recently found himself in an entertainment industry predicament during an online interview where he was asked to choose between his brother Kunle's epic fantasy film Anikulapo and Funke Akindele's blockbuster comedy Behind the Scenes. The actor explained that such a selection was impossible, noting that Kunle had provided him with substantial financial support while Funke had demonstrated kindness by purchasing a door for his house.
The actor's public political endorsement continues to generate discussion about celebrity influence in Nigerian politics and the evolving perspectives of entertainment figures regarding governmental policies and national leadership.
