Renowned Yoruba actor Yinka Quadri has opened up about why he and various other Nollywood practitioners are throwing their weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, emphasizing that their endorsement is rooted in the president’s longstanding, behind-the-scenes support for the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Personal history of supporting actors in times of need
Speaking during an appearance on the African A-List programme, Quadri stressed that their political alignment goes beyond transactional benefits or superficial gains, pointing directly to Tinubu’s historical assistance to creative practitioners dating back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.
“People do not understand it. It is not about what we want to eat. He has been taking care of those of us in the industry since he was the governor of Lagos,” Quadri explained.
To substantiate his claims, the veteran actor recalled critical instances where the president stepped in to assist distressed actors.
He referenced how Tinubu provided financial backing to settle massive hospital bills for the late comic icon Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, during his prolonged illness.
Quadri also recounted the 2017 tragedy surrounding the death of actress Moji Olaiya in Canada.
He noted that when he, alongside colleagues Fathia Balogun, Yomi Fabiyi, and others, visited Tinubu’s Bourdillon residence to seek funds for repatriating her remains, the politician immediately offset the entire $25,000 cost.
Infrastructure developments and national policies
Beyond personal industry interventions, Quadri pointed to notable infrastructural strides in the South-West region—such as the Papalanto-Sagamu and Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode routes—as further justification for his backing, acknowledging that while more work remains, visible progress deserves commendation.
He further highlighted government welfare provisions, including pension payments and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), as positive policy initiatives under the current administration as political alignments sharpen ahead of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
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