Nollywood actor Saidi Balogun has triggered a wave of online reactions after using numerology to argue that President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are guaranteed to serve eight years in office. The claim, made on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at a gathering honouring Shettima's birthday, has drawn both amusement and criticism from social media users.
Eight Letters, Eight Years? Balogun's Numerology Argument
Speaking at the indoor event, which featured APC "Renewed Hope" branding and banners reading "Together We Build, Together We Prosper," Balogun urged the audience to count the letters in both leaders' names. He argued that spelling out "Asiwaju" and "Shettima" each yields eight letters, which he presented as proof that the duo is destined to complete two full terms in power.
"If you pick the two names of both the president and the vice president, it will give you eight, which means they are spending eight," he said, before asking the crowd to spell out the names letter by letter. Balogun also described Shettima as "the number two man," praising him as "intelligent" and crediting him for standing firmly beside the president.
Social Media Backlash: Fans Question Logic
The video of Balogun's speech quickly gained traction on X, with many Nigerians finding the letter-counting logic difficult to take seriously. Several users questioned whether the actor truly understands the government's policies or is simply cashing in on political patronage.
@Agehmaito247 commented: "Lolz Egbon u better face ur film and let this pple be." Another user, @CBNEdu, asked: "…because of numbers of alphabets in the name so they will spend 8yrs?" The reactions reflect a broader skepticism about the use of numerology in political discourse, especially amid ongoing debates over the government's performance.
Context and Previous Reports
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also reported that Saidi Balogun and Fathia Williams' son, Khalid, was sighted playing a fun game on social media. In the clip, Khalid was almost slapping his father as they shadow-slapped each other. The young man also played the game with his friends, as seen in the recording. Social media users reacted to what the young man almost did to his father, sharing their take on the game being played by the father and son.
The numerology claim comes amid ongoing political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections, with various figures making predictions and endorsements. Balogun's remarks, however, stand out for their unconventional basis, sparking debate about the role of celebrities in political commentary.
As the video continues to circulate, the public discourse highlights a divided opinion: some view the actor's statement as a light-hearted endorsement, while others see it as a distraction from substantive policy issues. The incident underscores the intersection of entertainment and politics in Nigeria, where celebrity voices often carry weight but are also subject to intense scrutiny.
