Several Nigerians have taken to social media to criticise Nollywood stars including Kunle Afolayan, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Ayo Adesanya and Remi Surutu following the launch of a new support group for the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group, known as Eko 57 Movement, was officially unveiled in Lagos on Sunday and is reportedly being coordinated by actor Lege Miami.
However, the initiative has sparked widespread backlash online, particularly as many Nigerians continue to complain about economic hardship, rising cost of living, and insecurity across the country.
A video from the event, which has been trending on social media platform X, showed several celebrities present at the launch. The clip quickly triggered criticism from netizens who accused the entertainers of ignoring the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
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Many commenters argued that public figures should be more honest about the country’s challenges instead of endorsing political movements tied to the current administration.
One user, @fhemiwrld, wrote:
“It’s just embarrassing. No light. Fuel price increased. You don’t talk about it. Shame on you all.”
Another user, @lordmayorblacksnr, warned that celebrities supporting politicians should not expect public sympathy if they later face personal difficulties.
Some critics also stated that what Nigeria truly needs is electoral reform rather than new political movements. According to @titbeats, “The only movement we need is mandatory real-time transmission of electoral results and nothing else.”
Others listed persistent issues such as poor healthcare, insecurity, unstable electricity supply, corruption, and the high cost of living as major concerns under the current government.
Despite the criticism, supporters of the initiative maintain that political participation remains the right of every citizen, including actors and entertainers.
The controversy continues to spark debate online about the role of celebrities in politics and whether public figures should openly align with political campaigns.
