Veteran Ganiu “Alapini” Nafiu expresses deep regret over supporting President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign, alleging that Nollywood actors who campaigned have been neglected and unappreciated since the election

Veteran Nollywood actor Ganiu Nafiu, popularly known as Alapini, has publicly expressed profound regret over his decision to support President Bola Tinubu during the intensely contested 2023 presidential campaign, stating that Nollywood actors who campaigned have been neglected and unappreciated since the election.

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In a candid interview on the YouTube channel ‘Behind the Fame African A-List TV,’ Alapini lamented that he and numerous other Yoruba film actors who passionately stood behind the ‘Renewed Hope’ movement have been entirely neglected ever since the election concluded.

Nollywood actors neglected by the current administration, is Alapini’s central complaint.

Speaking with palpable frustration in Yoruba, the veteran actor articulated that the fervent hope they harboured during the campaign season has since been replaced by deep disappointment.

“We were campaigning with joy thinking our messiah has arrived, because Tinubu is someone we have loved for many years, and he has been helpful to actors,” he recounted, detailing the optimism that once fuelled their efforts.

Alapini disclosed that he and many other seasoned actors dedicated two full months to actively campaigning for Tinubu, fully expecting that their unwavering loyalty and considerable public visibility would be genuinely appreciated and rewarded after the electoral victory.

“That was why we came out to support him for two months. We spent two months campaigning for him,” he stated, underlining the extent of their commitment.

When directly questioned about what they had received in return for their extensive efforts, Alapini responded with a tone of clear resignation, saying, “Maybe they are not in the right frame of mind to think about giving anything in return yet.”

He further alleged that despite the highly visible participation of elderly actors in numerous campaign events, neither Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, nor the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had acknowledged their substantial contributions.

“Would Seyi claim that he did not see we the old folks during when we were out there campaigning? Was Seyi blind that he did not notice our presence, the senior actors?” he queried, expressing his dismay.

On the sheer scale of their support, Alapini stated unequivocally, “We were over a hundred. We were all walking around, both young and old. We even campaigned at areas where some individuals could not conduct campaigns. I was entering markets when I am not a mad man.” He then starkly added, “They did not give us anything.”

He also referenced the significant backlash they faced online, noting, “People were cursing us in comment sections when we were campaigning.”

He cited the particularly poignant example of his fellow actor Olaiya Igwe, who infamously stripped naked at a beach to fervently pray for Tinubu’s victory.

“My friend Olaiya Igwe, who stripped himself naked in the beach because of Tinubu. The curses that were placed on him, up till now he hasn’t been free from them,” Alapini lamented. He also flatly debunked persistent rumours that Igwe was rewarded with a car following that controversial incident, stating, “Who gave him? It was not them,” when the show host brought up the speculation.

When asked if he would consider campaigning again for Tinubu’s potential 2027 re-election, the veteran actor was visibly hesitant and profoundly disillusioned.

“I haven’t thought about it yet,” he admitted, adding a scathing remark, “It is not even about second term campaign. Maybe our only form of support will be curses for anyone who chooses to vote for him.”

Alapini also levelled criticism at Seyi Tinubu for seemingly focusing his philanthropic efforts exclusively on Northern Nigeria, strongly suggesting that Yoruba communities, despite their support, have been deliberately sidelined.

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“That Seyi is now running around the North paying their hospital bills. Aren’t there sick people here in Yorubaland too? How many hospitals has he visited here in Yorubaland to pay bills for sick people?”

Alapini queried, highlighting a perceived inequity in attention and resources.