Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola has candidly revealed the unusual reason behind her support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 Nigerian elections.
The acclaimed actress, known for her compelling roles on the big screen, told With Chude that her backing of Tinubu intensified after she was bullied by an opposition supporter. Akintola admitted that her increased support was, in part, a reaction to this pressure.
“I supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the last election because somebody annoyed me with their bullying”, she said.
Akintola used the platform to urge Nigerians to respect differing political opinions, emphasizing the dangers of coercion and harassment over political choices.
“Nigerians are annoying. Don’t bully other people. We have our rights to differences of opinion. You don’t like this man [Tinubu], cool, you have the right not to like him. You prefer this person, good for you. But don’t bully others”, she explained.
The actress recounted how fellow Nollywood veteran Joke Silva was subjected to intense online harassment, which she found unacceptable.
“They bullied aunty Joke to the point that someone wrote something that was so inhumane. So, I made a video and said, ‘I’m also supporting Tinubu, kill me, let me see if you can change my mind.’”
Bimbo Akintola stressed the importance of respecting individual choices, even when opinions differ.
“We need to stop bullying. We need to agree that we can never agree with everybody. That’s what makes us great and beautiful. If we are all the same, it would be a boring life. Till tomorrow, you might not agree that he was the best person for the job, but at that point, that was who I wanted, that was who I voted for. You can’t take my voice away from me; it’s mine”, she asserted.
Her comments are a stark reminder of the polarized political climate in Nigeria, and the pressures public figures face when expressing their political views. Akintola’s transparency has sparked various discussions across social media.
As Nigerians continue to navigate a landscape of diverse political opinions, Akintola’s message resonates beyond celebrity circles, highlighting the fundamental right to express one’s political choice without fear of harassment or intimidation.