Veteran Nollywood actor Ganiu Nafiu, popularly known as Alapini, has expressed regret for supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections, saying Yoruba actors who campaigned for him have been sidelined.
Speaking on Behind the Fame African A List TV, Alapini opened up about his disappointment, revealing that many in the Yoruba film industry had high hopes for Tinubu’s administration but have received no recognition or support in return.
“We campaigned with joy, believing our messiah had come. Tinubu has always been someone we admired,” he said in Yoruba. “But after the victory, everything changed. No one acknowledged us not even his son, Seyi Tinubu.”
Alapini revealed that he and over a hundred entertainers campaigned for two months, often in tough areas, expecting appreciation afterward. Instead, they were met with silence and even public backlash.
“People cursed us online,” he added, referencing the harsh criticism actors received during the campaign period. He pointed to the example of his colleague, Olaiya Igwe, who famously went nude at the beach in support of Tinubu, and yet, according to Alapini, received no reward.
When asked about supporting Tinubu again in 2027, the actor hesitated. “Maybe our only support will be curses for whoever votes for him,” he said.
He also criticized Seyi Tinubu for focusing philanthropic efforts in Northern Nigeria, accusing him of ignoring sick people in Yoruba communities.
“Seyi is paying hospital bills in the North, but what about Yorubaland? Have we not fallen sick too?” he asked.
Alapini’s remarks reflect growing discontent among celebrities who backed Tinubu but now feel abandoned.
