Murphy Ray Says Nigerians Have Only Praised Murtala Muhammed And Yar’Adua Among Past Presidents

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Veteran Nollywood actor Murphy Ray-Eyiwumi has sparked fresh conversation after stating that Nigerians have consistently criticised nearly every president who has governed the country, except for two former leaders.

Speaking during a recent appearance on the Talk To To Podcast, the actor argued that public dissatisfaction has been a recurring feature across different administrations in Nigeria’s political history.

According to him, only former head of state Murtala Muhammed and late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua were largely spared from widespread criticism by citizens.

He explained that both leaders are often viewed more favourably because their time in office was relatively short, which he believes shaped how Nigerians remember them.

Murphy Ray-Eyiwumi stated that most governments have faced public complaints regardless of their policies or achievements, suggesting that dissatisfaction with leadership has become a consistent pattern among citizens.

“There is no president that has ruled this country that we have not complained about, except for Muritala, who was killed after six months and Yar’Adua, who died untimely; they are the only ones. Aside from these two, which other presidents have we prayed for in this country? Muritala was killed because he was a military man,” he said.

His comments have since generated reactions, with some agreeing with his perspective while others argue that public opinion about leaders is more complex and cannot be generalised.

Murphy Ray-Eyiwumi is a well-known figure in the Yoruba film industry and comes from the respected Eyiwumi acting lineage, which played a significant role in the early development of Nollywood storytelling.

He began his acting career in the late 1990s and has since built a strong reputation in the industry, featuring in over 100 films across different genres of Yoruba cinema.

Some of his notable works include Botife, Okunkun Biribiri, Okanjua, Baba Elesin, Oduduwa, Iboji, Esu Masemi, and Eewo Orisa, among others.

Over the years, he has remained an active contributor to the growth of indigenous Nollywood productions, particularly within the Yoruba-speaking segment of the industry.

While his recent comments were focused on political leadership and public perception, they have also reignited broader discussions about governance, national expectations, and how Nigerians evaluate their leaders over time.

As reactions continue to trail his remarks, the debate highlights the intersection between entertainment figures and political commentary in Nigeria’s public space, where celebrities often weigh in on national issues.

Watch him speak below…

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