Prior to the elections, several celebrities supported the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). Five years down the line, the stories have changed. Saturday Beats takes a look at how the entertainers involved have changed their minds
9ice
Not only did singer, Abolore Akande, aka 9ice, support the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), in 2015, he was also an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress for the Federal House of Representatives seat in Ogbomosho North/Ogbomosho South/Orire Federal Constituency of Oyo State.
9ice also performed at some of the party’s rallies, especially in Oyo State. However, the singer is now disillusioned with his earlier choice. Some days ago, he told his followers that he was thinking of releasing a new song and asked them to assess a snippet of the song. He sang, “Ja (run)/Don’t let them deceive you no more/Go against every decision/Iku to n pa ojugba eni, owe lo n pa fun eni (The death that kills one peers is a proverb for one)/Osha bo le gbami, fimile bo se ba mi (An oracle that cannot help me should leave me the way it met me)/Ko ma ye won mo (They don’t know what they are doing anymore)/They wore uniforms before but now, they are wearing agbada…”
Shortly after the President’s national broadcast on October 22, 2020, the ‘Gongo Aso’ singer had written, “I did not bother watching. I would have been disappointed, same as you are now #EndSARS.”
Ronke Oshodi-Oke
Actress, Ronke Ojo, popularly known as Oshodi-Oke, can be passionate when she’s talking about what is dear to her heart. Some may even tag it as being overzealous but she is wont to express herself freely when caught in a wave of emotions.
Shortly after the shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki tollgate, Lagos, the busty role interpreter took to her Instagram page to express her displeasure over the incident. Wracked in sobs, Oshodi-Oke expressed regret that she supported the current regime during the elections, describing it as a wound on her conscience. She added, “I’m short of words because I was one of those that canvassed for votes. I campaigned for them (current regime).”
Iyabo Ojo
Actress, Iyabo Ojo, was one of the celebrities that lent her support to the APC for the presidential and other elections in 2015. Though she did not explicitly appear in any advert, she attended some of the party’s campaign programmes in Lagos.
Also, in 2019, the mother of two rallied support for President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as well as the then Lagos State APC governorship candidate and incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Under the umbrella of the ‘League of Lagos Artistes’, they ‘endorsed’ the candidates. Other members of the Jide Kosoko-led group were Adebayo Salami, Lanre Hassan, Yemi Solade, Fausat Balogun, Ayo Badmus, Taiwo Hassan, Akeem Alimi, Funsho Adeolu, Ronke Ojo, Kemi Afolabi and Tayo Amokade.
However, Ojo has had to swallow her words as she strongly announced that she would ‘never’ support either of the two biggest political parties in the country― the People’s Democratic Party and APC. She wrote on Twitter, “I, Alice Iyabo Ojo, will never support, campaign or vote for any APC or PDP member ever again in my life even if you are my family or friend, we need a New Nigeria Flag of Nigeria, we need to stop recycling universal recycling symbol #EndBadGoverance.”
Banky W
Banky W is not just a singer. He is also an actor, record label executive, politician, preacher and many other things rolled into one.
Banky W had for a long time been telling his fans and Nigerian youths in general to get more involved in politics and socio-political issues. He took a bold step in 2019 when he became the candidate of the Modern Democratic Party for the Federal House of Representatives Eti-Osa (Lagos) seat.
In 2015, the entertainer featured in campaign materials for the then APC Lagos State governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode. He appeared with the now former governor in a music video titled, ‘I Believe’.
In 2018, the singer was rumoured to have been paid N57m to support the reelection bid of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). But he debunked the stories on social media. A follower had tweeted at him, “Mr Wellington, come out and support Buhari with your chest. You can’t be non-partisan forever. Your company, EME, was converted to a public relations firm after it got a contract of N57m through one Abubakar Ahmed to promote Buhari. Why have you not been doing your work?”
Banky responded on Twitter, “False. Completely false and untrue. I have never met this person and never collected a dime to do anything for this President. I dare you to show proof of the false stories you are peddling. Why would I be running with an independent party in my own constituency if that was my plan?”
Funke Akindele-Bello
Popular actress, Funke Akindele-Bello, was part of the ‘I Believe’ music video for a former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and APC candidate. Over the years, she has also appeared in different adverts for the state government.
However, the state did not consider all that when in April 2020 the actress and her husband were convicted of flouting the social distancing guidelines set out by the government to defeat the rampaging coronavirus. The couple was sentenced to 14 days community service and ordered to pay a fine of N200,000.
Reacting to the Lekki toll gate shootings, Akindele-Bello wrote on her Instagram page, “This is so sad. My heart is broken. Why shoot? This is too much, our leaders! #EndPoliceBrutality #EndSARS.”
She also posted a video of a woman in the northern part of the country who was hit by a stray bullet from the police and was practically in a vegetative state. The actress added the caption, “Sad! This is one of many heartbreaking stories of police brutality in our country, Nigeria! We won’t stop shouting. End police brutality in Nigeria. End bad governance. Justice must be served.”
Small Doctor
Singer, Adekunle Temitope, aka Small Doctor, supported the re-election bid of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) in 2019. He even performed at the party’s national convention in Abuja.
However, Small Doctor decided to stand with fellow Nigerian youths as he took active part in the #EndSARS protests that rocked the country. He led a sizeable number of youths to demonstrate in the Agege area of the state. He also took his campaign to the church. He was pictured in a white garment, holding out a sign that read, “End police brutality’. He also posted pictures of the protests in other parts of the country.
After the Lekki shootings, he posted a picture of the Nigerian flag stained with blood.
Omotola
In 2016, top actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, called on Nigerians to support the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). She maintained that she was sure the president would do his job effectively. She had written on Twitter, “I am just going to say I believe the president; not until he, beyond doubt, convinces us that he is actually not for our interests, I think I for now chose to believe him based on his past history.”
‘’I want to believe him as a man of honour, I want to believe he knows what he wants to achieve and I wish everyone will support him for now until he shows us truly that he has ulterior motives. For now, we should believe him and trust him.”
However, it is apparent that she no longer feels that way. In April 2019, the actress directed a tweet to President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The tweet read, “The country under your watch is hellish! The lack of money in circulation coupled with the continuous assault and killings by uniformed men will make this country implode. It is unbearable. Do something. (There is) insecurity, fear and desperation everywhere.”
In reaction to the Lekki killings, she wrote, “Verified. Stop police brutality. End impunity. Who ordered the assault on the peaceful protesters?”
Days earlier, she had written, “Me and my clan went out. What a privilege to be a youth and in same generation with them. It has been a long time coming.”
Mercy Aigbe
Actress, Mercy Aigbe, actively took part in the #EndSARS protests, calling for an end to police brutality and she has expressed her displeasure with the current government.
However, as recently as December 2018, she was part of celebrities that were at the seat of power in the Aso Rock villa under the platform of the Buhari Support Organisation. The visit was part of BSO’s campaign efforts for President Buhari’s reelection.
She also supported the President in 2015 and in an interview she granted a soft sell magazine 2016, Aigbe maintained that she had faith in President Buhari to ‘deliver as promised’.
It is clear that the actress is not pleased with the country’s leaders at the moment. About a week ago, she wrote on social media, “I woke up very furious and sad! How the hell did we get here? Why in pete’s sake did we allow ourselves to be taken for fools for this long? So much impunity, oppression and intimidation. Our leaders are so insensitive. Whew! It’s going to be a long road to freedom.”
Faithia Balogun
Actress, Faithia Balogun, teamed up with some of her colleagues to lend support to the election campaigns of a former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. Under the auspices of a group called the Unique Charitable Foundation, they endorsed the two candidates.
However, it seems the beat has changed. Some days ago, she took to her Instagram page to post a short drama of some people accusing politicians of not fulfilling their campaign promises. She added the caption, “What we need are leaders not rulers. Nigeria will be great.”
In another post, she wrote, “One question for the authorities. Are we still lazy? #EndSARS #Endtimeforthewicked #sorosoke.”
But some of her fans were not happy with the actress for supporting the current administration in the first place. Many expressed their displeasure in their comments on her page. A follower, @pweetie_o, wrote, “Please, spare us. Your eye service is too much. We don’t need your sympathy. You have failed us. All your fans know; they are only trying to play along.”
Eniola Badmus
In the heat of the Lekki shootings, actress and comedian, Eniola Badmus, was rumoured dead but to the relief of many Nigerians, she quickly debunked the false stories. However, she was involved in the #EndSARS protests and she even called on international celebrities to lend their support to the cause. She constantly posted about the protests and demanded an end to ‘bad governance’.
Meanwhile, she was part of the celebrities that supported the current administration. In 2019, she was at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, where she adorned an APC-customised dress and campaigned for the party and its candidates, including President Buhari.
9ice
Not only did singer, Abolore Akande, aka 9ice, support the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), in 2015, he was also an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress for the Federal House of Representatives seat in Ogbomosho North/Ogbomosho South/Orire Federal Constituency of Oyo State.
9ice also performed at some of the party’s rallies, especially in Oyo State. However, the singer is now disillusioned with his earlier choice. Some days ago, he told his followers that he was thinking of releasing a new song and asked them to assess a snippet of the song. He sang, “Ja (run)/Don’t let them deceive you no more/Go against every decision/Iku to n pa ojugba eni, owe lo n pa fun eni (The death that kills one peers is a proverb for one)/Osha bo le gbami, fimile bo se ba mi (An oracle that cannot help me should leave me the way it met me)/Ko ma ye won mo (They don’t know what they are doing anymore)/They wore uniforms before but now, they are wearing agbada…”
Shortly after the President’s national broadcast on October 22, 2020, the ‘Gongo Aso’ singer had written, “I did not bother watching. I would have been disappointed, same as you are now #EndSARS.”
Ronke Oshodi-Oke
Actress, Ronke Ojo, popularly known as Oshodi-Oke, can be passionate when she’s talking about what is dear to her heart. Some may even tag it as being overzealous but she is wont to express herself freely when caught in a wave of emotions.
Shortly after the shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki tollgate, Lagos, the busty role interpreter took to her Instagram page to express her displeasure over the incident. Wracked in sobs, Oshodi-Oke expressed regret that she supported the current regime during the elections, describing it as a wound on her conscience. She added, “I’m short of words because I was one of those that canvassed for votes. I campaigned for them (current regime).”
Iyabo Ojo
Actress, Iyabo Ojo, was one of the celebrities that lent her support to the APC for the presidential and other elections in 2015. Though she did not explicitly appear in any advert, she attended some of the party’s campaign programmes in Lagos.
Also, in 2019, the mother of two rallied support for President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, as well as the then Lagos State APC governorship candidate and incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Under the umbrella of the ‘League of Lagos Artistes’, they ‘endorsed’ the candidates. Other members of the Jide Kosoko-led group were Adebayo Salami, Lanre Hassan, Yemi Solade, Fausat Balogun, Ayo Badmus, Taiwo Hassan, Akeem Alimi, Funsho Adeolu, Ronke Ojo, Kemi Afolabi and Tayo Amokade.
However, Ojo has had to swallow her words as she strongly announced that she would ‘never’ support either of the two biggest political parties in the country― the People’s Democratic Party and APC. She wrote on Twitter, “I, Alice Iyabo Ojo, will never support, campaign or vote for any APC or PDP member ever again in my life even if you are my family or friend, we need a New Nigeria Flag of Nigeria, we need to stop recycling universal recycling symbol #EndBadGoverance.”
Banky W
Banky W is not just a singer. He is also an actor, record label executive, politician, preacher and many other things rolled into one.
Banky W had for a long time been telling his fans and Nigerian youths in general to get more involved in politics and socio-political issues. He took a bold step in 2019 when he became the candidate of the Modern Democratic Party for the Federal House of Representatives Eti-Osa (Lagos) seat.
In 2015, the entertainer featured in campaign materials for the then APC Lagos State governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode. He appeared with the now former governor in a music video titled, ‘I Believe’.
In 2018, the singer was rumoured to have been paid N57m to support the reelection bid of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). But he debunked the stories on social media. A follower had tweeted at him, “Mr Wellington, come out and support Buhari with your chest. You can’t be non-partisan forever. Your company, EME, was converted to a public relations firm after it got a contract of N57m through one Abubakar Ahmed to promote Buhari. Why have you not been doing your work?”
Banky responded on Twitter, “False. Completely false and untrue. I have never met this person and never collected a dime to do anything for this President. I dare you to show proof of the false stories you are peddling. Why would I be running with an independent party in my own constituency if that was my plan?”
Funke Akindele-Bello
Popular actress, Funke Akindele-Bello, was part of the ‘I Believe’ music video for a former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and APC candidate. Over the years, she has also appeared in different adverts for the state government.
However, the state did not consider all that when in April 2020 the actress and her husband were convicted of flouting the social distancing guidelines set out by the government to defeat the rampaging coronavirus. The couple was sentenced to 14 days community service and ordered to pay a fine of N200,000.
Reacting to the Lekki toll gate shootings, Akindele-Bello wrote on her Instagram page, “This is so sad. My heart is broken. Why shoot? This is too much, our leaders! #EndPoliceBrutality #EndSARS.”
She also posted a video of a woman in the northern part of the country who was hit by a stray bullet from the police and was practically in a vegetative state. The actress added the caption, “Sad! This is one of many heartbreaking stories of police brutality in our country, Nigeria! We won’t stop shouting. End police brutality in Nigeria. End bad governance. Justice must be served.”
Small Doctor
Singer, Adekunle Temitope, aka Small Doctor, supported the re-election bid of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) in 2019. He even performed at the party’s national convention in Abuja.
However, Small Doctor decided to stand with fellow Nigerian youths as he took active part in the #EndSARS protests that rocked the country. He led a sizeable number of youths to demonstrate in the Agege area of the state. He also took his campaign to the church. He was pictured in a white garment, holding out a sign that read, “End police brutality’. He also posted pictures of the protests in other parts of the country.
After the Lekki shootings, he posted a picture of the Nigerian flag stained with blood.
Omotola
In 2016, top actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, called on Nigerians to support the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd). She maintained that she was sure the president would do his job effectively. She had written on Twitter, “I am just going to say I believe the president; not until he, beyond doubt, convinces us that he is actually not for our interests, I think I for now chose to believe him based on his past history.”
‘’I want to believe him as a man of honour, I want to believe he knows what he wants to achieve and I wish everyone will support him for now until he shows us truly that he has ulterior motives. For now, we should believe him and trust him.”
However, it is apparent that she no longer feels that way. In April 2019, the actress directed a tweet to President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The tweet read, “The country under your watch is hellish! The lack of money in circulation coupled with the continuous assault and killings by uniformed men will make this country implode. It is unbearable. Do something. (There is) insecurity, fear and desperation everywhere.”
In reaction to the Lekki killings, she wrote, “Verified. Stop police brutality. End impunity. Who ordered the assault on the peaceful protesters?”
Days earlier, she had written, “Me and my clan went out. What a privilege to be a youth and in same generation with them. It has been a long time coming.”
Mercy Aigbe
Actress, Mercy Aigbe, actively took part in the #EndSARS protests, calling for an end to police brutality and she has expressed her displeasure with the current government.
However, as recently as December 2018, she was part of celebrities that were at the seat of power in the Aso Rock villa under the platform of the Buhari Support Organisation. The visit was part of BSO’s campaign efforts for President Buhari’s reelection.
She also supported the President in 2015 and in an interview she granted a soft sell magazine 2016, Aigbe maintained that she had faith in President Buhari to ‘deliver as promised’.
It is clear that the actress is not pleased with the country’s leaders at the moment. About a week ago, she wrote on social media, “I woke up very furious and sad! How the hell did we get here? Why in pete’s sake did we allow ourselves to be taken for fools for this long? So much impunity, oppression and intimidation. Our leaders are so insensitive. Whew! It’s going to be a long road to freedom.”
Faithia Balogun
Actress, Faithia Balogun, teamed up with some of her colleagues to lend support to the election campaigns of a former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. Under the auspices of a group called the Unique Charitable Foundation, they endorsed the two candidates.
However, it seems the beat has changed. Some days ago, she took to her Instagram page to post a short drama of some people accusing politicians of not fulfilling their campaign promises. She added the caption, “What we need are leaders not rulers. Nigeria will be great.”
In another post, she wrote, “One question for the authorities. Are we still lazy? #EndSARS #Endtimeforthewicked #sorosoke.”
But some of her fans were not happy with the actress for supporting the current administration in the first place. Many expressed their displeasure in their comments on her page. A follower, @pweetie_o, wrote, “Please, spare us. Your eye service is too much. We don’t need your sympathy. You have failed us. All your fans know; they are only trying to play along.”
Eniola Badmus
In the heat of the Lekki shootings, actress and comedian, Eniola Badmus, was rumoured dead but to the relief of many Nigerians, she quickly debunked the false stories. However, she was involved in the #EndSARS protests and she even called on international celebrities to lend their support to the cause. She constantly posted about the protests and demanded an end to ‘bad governance’.
Meanwhile, she was part of the celebrities that supported the current administration. In 2019, she was at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, where she adorned an APC-customised dress and campaigned for the party and its candidates, including President Buhari.
Of they truly regret, they should return all the money they collected during campaign abeg
ReplyDeleteAll the celebrities a bigger SHAME in Jesus Christ name Amen
ReplyDeleteNa dia way. After collecting their money.
DeleteIt is well
ReplyDeleteTo each his own. My name is Eesah and l do not regret voting for Buhari in 2015. A dead Buhari is far better than Jonathan. Buhari with little resources has so far achieved/performed more than the 16 years PDP spent in office. It's after his tenure that we will appreciate his good deeds. I can remember when Yar’Adua was in office, no one ever appreciated what he did. But when he died, come and see appreciation and commendation left right and center. That's Nigerians for you. The above celebrities are mostly after their pockets. Grease their palms and their dance steps will change
ReplyDelete🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️🚶♂️
During Jonathan's era, we didn't also appreciate him but now we do.The difference is clear,ejoor
DeleteYour "I have no shame" game though! Strong AF.
Deleteyou and and your blatant contradictions !
DeletePDP achieved nothing in 16 yrs yet YARADUA received commendation and appreciation *side eyes*
ALWAYS TALKING FROM 2 SIDES OF YOUR MOUTH.
Away with APC and PDP
APC emerged from PDP
Kudos Easah no bully on SDK can silence. You stand by who stand. They will soon understand.
DeleteWhile some have gone mute so as not to be blacklisted when next elections come.
ReplyDeleteSinger Olamide,good morning o
Hahahaha @ olamide good morning o, olamide sang, toh ba sanwo olu, wa sha sanwo toll gate (if you no pay sanwo olu one way or the other, you go pay toll gate, wch is invariably you also paying sanwolu.
DeleteHe and seyi tinubu na paddy now, so wetin e wan talk
Most of them supported because of what they stand to gain.
It's well. We all regret it.
ReplyDeleteNothing to regret .nigerians are stubborn and if you want to be stubborn we all be stubborn.clout chasers everywhere.tiwa couldn't morn the lekki guys posting nudes up and down and life continues .i pity those of you that follow these celebrities .some are currently taking monies from politicians ..some are fucking them and taking monies meant for your roads lol.seems you all trust too much
ReplyDeleteHe kwocern them,make them cwotinue the kworuption for vuhadu vuharia.
ReplyDeleteThank God they realized their mistakes, we should aspire to correct it come next election. I knew that CHANGE Chant was a scam.
ReplyDeleteRegret ke, let campaign start again you will see them in action. Just give them what they want, some will still support the worst candidate.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe them ... let's see what happens next election.
ReplyDeleteI campaigned and voted for change and l have no regrets and l will never regret it. I was absolutely convinced that Jonathan lost the plot and became cluelessly clueless. Given the same scenarios, situations and circumstances l will boldly repeat what l did in 2015. I live by own definitions and so l am always happy with all I do. Even if Jonathan won in 2015, we would probably be where we are today or worse. By May 2015 crude price went below 30 dollars, it was a given that the Central Bank must devalue the value of our currency . Yes, Buhari resisted the devaluation but he didn't really have a choice. CBN's banning the importation of 45 items was also a given regardless of who won the 2015 election, same applies to the increase in petroleum prices. Nigeria simply did not have the money. For the six years that Jonathan was president, Nigeria did not save a dime, even though crude was selling for 100-140 dollars per barrel, l read and heard people blaming the governors for the inability of Jonathan to save, the governors demanded for what was conditionally theirs not the share of the Federal government. Despite the high price of crude for years by early 2014 Nigeria was already borrowing money to pay salaries and allowances.Regardless of who won the 2015 election, Nigeria would still have gone into recession in 2016. During the economic crisis of 2008 Nigeria avoided going into a recession because Olusegun Obasanjo left a savings of over 65 billion dollars. The savings was squandered between 2009 and 2013 , leaving our nation broke. Regardless of who won in 2015 and 2019 COV-SARS-2 would still have pulled down our economy in April 2020 , our currency would have been devalued again and cost of petroleum products increased.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to agree with me, you don't have to approve my views but it is upon you to respect my freedom, to respect the fact that l am entitled to my views. So don't come insulting my person because you don't like my views, it doesn't align with the popular views here.
Ok.it is well.
ReplyDeleteI regret nothing. If Only Nigerians understood the rot in the country then we would understand what is really happening. All the listed have benefited from the system in the past and perhaps there pay masters are no longer in power.
ReplyDeleteThe problem most made, was assuming the "change" would be positive...forgetting that change can be negative, as well as positive.
ReplyDeletePeople/things can change for the better, and people/things can change for the worse. Next time, be very specific.
Well, the change was delivered as promised they just didn't know what kind of change it would be😂
ReplyDeleteBuhari didn't lie, he brought the change that he promised. Moral of the story, ask specifically what the change will be, don't just assume it will be positive😁