A Nigerian woman has criticised veteran Nollywood actor Yinka Quadri over his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, questioning whether the President’s financial assistance to entertainers is enough to justify another four years in office.
The woman’s reaction followed Quadri’s recent interview in which he explained why he and other members of the Yoruba film industry support Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In the interview on the African A-List programme, the veteran actor cited the President’s longstanding support for entertainers, dating back to his time as governor of Lagos State.
Quadri recalled how Tinubu allegedly paid the medical bills of late comic actor Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, during his illness.
He also recounted how Tinubu provided $25,000 to assist with arrangements to bring the remains of late actress Moji Olaiya back to Nigeria following her death in Canada in 2017.
According to Quadri, he and other entertainers, including Fathia Balogun and Yomi Fabiyi, approached Tinubu for assistance with the arrangements, and the former Lagos governor provided the money.
The actor further cited road projects in the South-West, pension payments and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as reasons he believes Tinubu deserves another opportunity to lead the country.
Quadri acknowledged that more work remained to be done but maintained that the President’s efforts deserved recognition.
However, the endorsement has drawn criticism from Nigerians who believe that the performance of a president should be assessed based on the overall welfare of citizens rather than assistance provided to a particular group.
In her reported reaction, the woman accused Quadri of being overly focused on the benefits entertainers receive from the President and questioned whether such personal assistance should determine his position on Tinubu’s re-election.
She also referenced the 2015 presidential election, when former President Goodluck Jonathan lost his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that Nigerians had previously voted out an incumbent president and warning against repeating what she considers a mistake in political judgment.
The criticism reflects a broader debate about the relationship between entertainers and politicians, particularly when celebrities publicly endorse candidates ahead of elections.
While some entertainers have defended their political choices by pointing to personal experiences and perceived government achievements, critics argue that national leadership should be judged by its impact on the wider population.
With the 2027 general election approaching, Quadri’s comments have added to discussions about celebrity endorsements, political accountability and the criteria Nigerians should use when deciding whether an incumbent president deserves another term.
The woman’s reaction represents a critical perspective on the actor’s position, while Quadri has maintained that his support for Tinubu is based on the assistance he says the President has provided to entertainers and other contributions he believes deserve recognition.
