Actress Bukky Raji apologises for backing Tinubu

Nollywood actress Bukky Raji, popularly known as Aminatu Papapa, has publicly expressed deep regret over her support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, admitting her decision was influenced by business concerns and misplaced trust.

In a recent interview with Oyinmomo TV on YouTube, Raji pleaded with Nigerians, especially those facing economic hardship, to forgive her.

“What I regret in my life is that they said they wanted to renew hope,” she said. “I use this moment to beg Nigerians… Don’t be angry.”

Raji clarified that her regret stems not from online criticism but from personal reflection.

According to her, her involvement in Tinubu’s campaign was partly driven by the impact of the 2019 border closure under former President Buhari, which affected her rice business.

She had hoped Tinubu, being from her region, would reverse that decision if elected.

“It was the campaign I did for Tinubu that pains me,” she confessed. “The masses are hungry… I thought he would reopen our borders. I, myself, took part in the suffering.”

Raji recounted how she went from selling 20 bags of rice to offloading full trailers before her business was hit.

“Now, tell me, didn’t I also take part in the suffering?” she asked. “It’s all of us that are suffering it, including those that campaigned and those that didn’t.”

She also cited Tinubu’s track record as Lagos State governor and promises made by politicians during campaign meetings as motivating factors for her support.

“These people told us they were going to work. But it is still the same as yesterday,” she lamented.

On whether she was paid for her involvement, the actress maintained she did not receive any compensation, blaming internal divisions among campaign participants.

“I can boldly say I did not receive a dime,” she said, claiming greed and disunity among some actors led to unequal sharing of promised funds.

“We were told to share the money equally, but some people refused… That was the beginning of the division among us.”

Raji recalled that despite Tinubu’s willingness to provide money, many supporters ended up with nothing due to internal wrangling.

“Maybe others collected… He never said he wouldn’t give us money. But disunity, lack of love, and greed followed,” she added.

The actress also referenced her past online clash with fellow Nollywood star Adunni Ade, who had criticised unnamed celebrities for campaigning for politicians.

In the heat of that exchange, Raji had responded angrily, defending her actions as motivated by loyalty, not money.

“Did they tell you we went there because of money or for the love we have for Asiwaju?” she asked in a previously circulated video.