Nollywood Actor Aremu Afolayan Issues Emotional Public Apology After Viral Pro-Tinubu Comments Spark National Backlash

Nollywood's Aremu Afolayan apologizes for his viral Tinubu support video. Read his explanation on Nigerian hardship and his decision to quit politics.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 11:54 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Legit.ng

A Public Plea for Forgiveness Amid Viral Controversy

Nollywood figure Aremu Afolayan has taken the extraordinary step of appearing on his knees in a social media video to seek the pardon of the Nigerian public. This emotional display followed a wave of online hostility triggered by a viral clip in which the actor appeared to dismiss the daily struggles of citizens while reaffirming his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In his latest address, Afolayan admitted that the scale of the backlash has left him in a sober and deeply affected state, prompting a formal clarification of his true stance on the nation’s welfare.

Clarifying the Context of Personal Political Support

According to Afolayan, his original comments were significantly misunderstood and stripped of their essential context. He explained that his affinity for the President originated from a specific moment of professional crisis when the United Arab Emirates enforced visa restrictions on Nigerians, a situation where he claims Tinubu provided critical intervention for his business interests. The actor emphasized that while he remains grateful for that individual support, he recognizes that such personal experiences do not mirror the reality of millions of Nigerians who feel abandoned by the current administration.

The Reality of Insecurity and Personal Hardship

To demonstrate his awareness of the country's deteriorating state, Afolayan shared a distressing personal narrative involving the kidnapping of a close friend’s mother. He revealed that the ordeal required a massive financial contribution from a network of family and friends to secure her release, an experience he cited as evidence that he is not insulated from the prevailing atmosphere of fear and insecurity. By sharing this detail, the actor aimed to bridge the perceived gap between his earlier "indifferent" remarks and the lived experience of his audience, acknowledging that the situation in Nigeria has reached an alarming level.