Popular actress regrets supporting Tinubu, apologises to Nigerians

Popular Yoruba actress, Bukky Raji, fondly known as Aminatu Papapa, has publicly expressed deep regret for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, saying she is also feeling the brunt of the current economic hardship ravaging the country.

In a viral interview released on Saturday, Raji said she had hoped Tinubu’s leadership would usher in relief and renewed hope for Nigerians, but instead, things have become more difficult even for those who campaigned for him.

“I regret it with everything in me,” she said. “He said he wanted to renew hope, but today I’m begging Nigerians, those who love me and those who don’t. I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have vouched for someone I didn’t really know.”

The actress, who runs a rice importation business, said her operations have suffered since the Buhari administration closed the Southern borders in 2019. According to her, she supported Tinubu with the belief that he would reopen the borders and revive small businesses in the South — a promise she now says remains unfulfilled.

“It’s not because people dragged me online. I sat down myself and said, ‘God, what have I done?’ I was expecting that when Jagaban [Tinubu] came in, he would open the Southern borders, just like the Northern borders were open during Buhari’s time,” she explained.

“I started with 20 bags of rice. At a point, I was bringing in trailers. But today, I can barely do anything. I’m in this suffering too, not just the people who didn’t campaign for him. I thought he would help us, but we’re all suffering now. Please, forgive me. That’s my only regret in life.”

Raji’s emotional apology comes amid growing discontent from Nollywood figures who had publicly endorsed Tinubu. Just days ago, veteran actor Ganiu Nafiu, popularly known as Alapini, called out both the president and his son, Seyi Tinubu, for allegedly abandoning actors who campaigned “even in markets like mad people.”

Actress Ronke Oshodi-Oke has also voiced her frustrations, while actor Olaiya Igwe who once bathed in a river to spiritually support Tinubu’s presidential bid — recently apologised to those offended by his actions. Though he still stands by his choice, Olaiya admitted to being disappointed in Tinubu’s performance so far.

As economic pressures mount, more celebrities who previously supported the president appear to be openly reevaluating their stance — a growing sign of waning confidence in the administration’s ability to meet expectations.