Renowned Nollywood actor, Ganiu Nafiu, popularly known as Alapini, has voiced his disappointment over supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
In a candid interview on the YouTube channel Behind the Fame – African A-List TV, Alapini reflected on his career, personal struggles, and political involvement. Speaking in Yoruba, the veteran actor shared his frustration, saying he feels abandoned by the administration he once supported enthusiastically.
According to him, he and several other Yoruba actors backed the Renewed Hope movement with high expectations. However, since the election, they have received no recognition or appreciation for their efforts.
“We were excited during the campaign because we believed our long-time supporter had finally arrived to bring change. Tinubu had always been good to us in the film industry,” Alapini stated.
He revealed that he and over a hundred fellow actors spent two months actively campaigning for Tinubu. They believed their visibility and commitment would be rewarded after the election victory.
Alapini expressed disappointment that neither President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, nor other APC figures acknowledged their participation, despite their prominence at campaign events.
“Seyi Tinubu saw us. We were there – the older actors, the veterans. Was he blind to our presence?” he asked.
He lamented that their efforts were met with public criticism rather than appreciation. “We went into markets to campaign – something out of character for some of us. People insulted us online,” he recounted.
Alapini also referenced fellow actor Olaiya Igwe, who famously went nude at a beach to pray for Tinubu’s win. He noted that Olaiya is still facing backlash and denied rumors that the actor received a car as a reward.
When asked if he would support Tinubu again in 2027, Alapini hesitated. “I haven’t decided. Right now, it’s not about another campaign. Maybe the only support he’ll get is curses from voters,” he remarked.
He further criticized Seyi Tinubu’s philanthropic efforts, claiming they have been concentrated in the North while ignoring Yoruba communities. “Seyi is out there paying hospital bills in Northern Nigeria. Don’t we have sick people in Yorubaland too?” he asked.
Alapini’s remarks reflect a growing sense of disillusionment among some of Tinubu’s grassroots supporters in the entertainment industry, who feel their loyalty has gone unrecognized.
