Veteran Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola has publicly detailed the motivation behind her controversial support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, citing intense online harassment as a key factor.
The Backlash and a Decision Forged in Fire
In a candid interview on the popular talk show With Chude, Akintola revealed the wave of hostility she faced from many Nigerians for her political choice. She expressed deep displeasure at attempts to intimidate her simply for backing a candidate.
Her support, she clarified, was not born from blind allegiance but from a place of irritation and defiance. The actress stated she was profoundly offended by the relentless online bullying directed at individuals who held opposing political views, a toxic environment she observed during the election cycle.
Standing Up to Bullies: The Joke Silva Incident
Akintola pinpointed a specific incident that pushed her to openly reassert her position. She was highly outraged by the level of harassment directed at veteran actress Joke Silva for voicing her opinions. Witnessing such attacks on a respected colleague and others solidified her resolve.
"Somebody annoyed me, Nigerians annoyed me," Akintola stated emphatically. "Don’t bully other people. We have our rights to different opinions. You don’t like this man? Fine. You have the right not to like him. You prefer this person? Good for you."
She described how the bullying of "Auntie Joke" reached a point where someone wrote something that "offended me so deeply." This prompted her to make a defiant video declaring her support for Tinubu, essentially challenging the bullies. "I now did a video saying, you know what, I’m going for the same person; kill me. Let me see you change my mind with the bully," she recounted.
A Plea for Tolerance in a Diverse Nation
Beyond explaining her personal stance, Akintola used the platform to advocate for a more tolerant political discourse in Nigeria. She stressed that disagreement is natural and should be embraced as part of a vibrant democracy.
"We need to stop it. We need to understand that we can never agree with everybody," she urged. "That’s what makes us great. That’s what makes us beautiful, makes us different. If we are all the same, it would be a boring life."
She concluded by acknowledging that opinions on leadership may vary, but her choice was a personal one made with conviction at the time. "Till tomorrow, you might not agree he is the best person for the job, but at that point, that is who I wanted; that is who I voted for," she affirmed.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The actress's explanation has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many Nigerians divided on her rationale.
Some social media users criticized her reasoning as flimsy and emotional. One comment read, "You gambled literally 8 years of your life to prove a point to a stranger?" while another called it a "shocking excuse." Others accused her of supporting for reasons of "stomach infrastructure" rather than principle.
However, a few voices agreed with her stance against online bullying. One supporter commented, "God bless you ma. We have the same principles. The obidients bullies made me support Tinubu like never before."
This interview, published on 6th December 2025, continues to fuel discussions about celebrity influence, political tolerance, and the lasting impact of online behaviour on real-world decisions in Nigeria's vibrant democracy.
