Veteran Nollywood actor Alapini expresses regret over supporting President Tinubu in 2023, citing abandonment and lack of support from the administration

Alapini regrets supporting Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, revealing that he and other Yoruba actors who publicly campaigned for the president have been abandoned since he assumed office.

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The veteran Nollywood actor, whose real name is Ganiu Nafiu, spoke on Behind the Fame, an African A-List TV YouTube series, where he shared his frustrations in a candid interview.

Speaking in Yoruba, Alapini described the period leading up to the election as intense and exhausting. He said he left his acting work for two months to support Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, believing it was a cause worth sacrificing for.

According to him, they were not fighting for personal gain, but rather out of genuine belief in Tinubu’s potential to transform the nation and uplift the film industry.

“We had to abandon all our work to campaign for Tinubu. During the campaign, we were not fighting for our own pocket but genuinely for the well-being of the citizens,” he said. “We campaigned happily back then, thinking our Messiah had come.”

However, the silence that followed the victory left Alapini disappointed. He explained that not only were the actors overlooked, but the lives of Nigerians also failed to improve under the current administration.

The actor hinted that while he did not expect material rewards, some recognition and national progress would have justified their efforts.

Alapini also criticised Seyi Tinubu, questioning his focus on northern regions while neglecting the South-West, including the actors who backed his father. “Seyi is running around the north paying their hospital bills. Aren’t there sick people in Yorubaland too?” he asked.

His comments sparked online debate, especially his sharp remark about the president’s 2027 re-election ambitions. When asked if he would back Tinubu again, Alapini responded bitterly: “Maybe in this second campaign, the only support we’ll offer will be curses for anyone who votes for him.”

The actor stressed that loyalty deserves appreciation. While he accepted that support should not always be tied to rewards, he insisted that it is wrong to ignore those who helped build public trust.

He urged the administration to focus on easing the hardship Nigerians face, noting that disappointment runs deep among those who once had high hopes.

As one of the most recognised faces in Yoruba cinema, Alapini’s voice carries weight. His statements reflect a growing dissatisfaction among public figures who feel used and forgotten after political victories.

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His story is a reminder that endorsement alone does not ensure lasting loyalty—it must be earned through action and genuine care for the people.