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Veteran Yoruba actor Yinka Quadri has explained why he supports President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ambition, citing the president’s longstanding assistance to entertainers and infrastructure projects in the South-West.
Quadri said his backing for Tinubu was influenced by the support he claimed the president had extended to members of the entertainment industry over the years, including during difficult personal and family circumstances.
The actor made this known during an interview on the African A-List programme, where he recalled Tinubu’s relationship with entertainers dating back to his tenure as governor of Lagos State.
According to Quadri, the president’s assistance to people in the industry was not limited to his time in office as Nigeria’s leader. He argued that Tinubu had supported entertainers long before becoming president, making his decision to back the re-election bid a reflection of that history.
“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 said.
The actor cited the late Nollywood star Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, as one of the entertainers who received Tinubu’s assistance. He claimed that Tinubu paid the actor’s hospital bills while he was undergoing treatment for an illness.
Quadri also recalled how Tinubu allegedly provided financial assistance following the death of actress Moji Olaiya in Canada in 2017.
He said he joined fellow actors, including Fathia Balogun and Yomi Fabiyi, in visiting Tinubu’s residence in Bourdillon, Lagos, while they were seeking funds to bring Olaiya’s remains back to Nigeria.
According to Quadri, the group approached Tinubu to explain their situation, after which he asked how much was needed to complete the arrangements.
“When Moji Olaiya died, I, Fathia Balogun, Yomi Fabiyi and others were trying to bring her back from abroad. We went to Bourdillon to seek financial support.
“He asked us for the cost and paid it. It was a total of $25,000,” the actor said.
Quadri maintained that experiences such as these had shaped his opinion of Tinubu and influenced his political position. He added that the president had continued to make financial support available to entertainment practitioners who approached him for assistance.
Beyond his relationship with entertainers, the veteran actor identified infrastructure development as another reason for supporting Tinubu’s re-election ambition.
He specifically mentioned the Papalanto-Sagamu road and the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode route as projects he appreciated in the South-West. Although he acknowledged that the projects did not resolve every infrastructure challenge in the region, he said he believed the efforts deserved recognition.
“I know it is not enough, but I praise him,” Quadri said.
The actor also expressed approval of pension payments to retirees and the operations of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, known as NELFUND, describing them as initiatives he viewed positively under Tinubu’s administration.
His remarks come as political conversations gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters of the president presenting different arguments for another term.
Quadri’s comments also highlight the role personal relationships and assistance to professional groups can play in shaping political loyalties. By recalling the alleged support given to colleagues during challenging periods, he sought to explain why he considers Tinubu’s relationship with entertainers an important factor in his decision.
The Yoruba film industry has several figures who have publicly expressed support for Tinubu over the years. Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Quadri joined actors such as Jide Kosoko, Fausat Balogun, Taiwo Hassan and Femi Adebayo in backing Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
His latest comments reinforce his position ahead of the next election, with the actor pointing to Tinubu’s reported assistance to entertainers, infrastructure projects and selected government initiatives as reasons for his continued support.
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