Nollywood actor Oluwole Cole, widely known as Baraka, has disclosed that he campaigned for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election without receiving any compensation, yet he remains steadfast in his support for the 2027 race. The revelation came during an interview with African A-List, where the Lagos Island-born Yoruba actor spoke candidly about his political involvement and the financial sacrifices it entailed.
Campaign Sacrifices Without Payment
According to Baraka, he and numerous other campaigners put their careers on hold to work for Tinubu's presidential bid, only to be left unpaid after the election. He stated: "During the 2023 election, I campaigned for Tinubu, but we were not given any money. At the time, many of the people who campaigned left their jobs to do so. As for me, aside from acting, I also work as an MC, and I know how much I can earn in a month."
The actor elaborated on the opportunities he lost during that period. "I lost some work opportunities during that period, just like others did. I also missed out on some acting gigs, and in the end, we were not given the money we were promised," he said.
Unwavering Loyalty to Tinubu
Despite the unpaid dues, Baraka expressed a remarkably optimistic outlook regarding the future. Rather than harboring bitterness, he singled out the president's son, Seyi Tinubu, as someone he trusts to eventually make amends. "As for me, Seyi Tinubu will still pay my own money. He is a good man, so he will settle me. I'm from Lagos Island; politics is part of our way of life. I'm involved in politics, and I will continue to support Tinubu. I can't leave him," he asserted.
Baraka attributed his unwavering loyalty partly to his upbringing, noting that political engagement is a core aspect of Lagos Island communities. For him, stepping away from Tinubu is simply not an option, regardless of what he is still owed.
Broader Political Context
In related political developments, the City Boy Movement launched its inaugural National Retreat in Abuja on Monday, July 14, 2026, bringing together leaders and stakeholders from across Nigeria. The three-day event featured the swearing-in of the National Working Committee and State Directors, along with speeches urging unity, grassroots mobilization, and commitment to President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. Director-General Francis Oluwatosin Shoga set a bold target of 10 million votes, emphasizing that success would come from real engagement at the community level rather than digital campaigns.
