The veteran Yoruba actor cites Tinubu’s reported financial assistance to late actors Baba Suwe and Moji Olaiya, alongside South-West road projects and social programmes.
Veteran Yoruba actor Yinka Quadri has explained his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing the president’s longstanding financial assistance to entertainers and projects he considers beneficial to Nigerians.
Quadri spoke during an interview on the African A-List programme, where he recalled instances of Tinubu’s support for members of the entertainment industry dating back to his tenure as Lagos State governor.
The actor said his position was not driven solely by personal interests but also by his experiences with the president’s assistance to practitioners facing financial difficulties.
“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.
His comments come as political discussions gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Quadri Recalls Tinubu’s Assistance To Baba Suwe
The actor cited the late Nollywood star Babatunde Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, as an example of Tinubu’s reported support for entertainers.
Quadri said Tinubu paid Baba Suwe’s hospital bills while the actor was battling an illness.
He said the incident reinforced his view that Tinubu had maintained a longstanding relationship with the Yoruba film industry.
Quadri also recalled Tinubu’s reported financial assistance following the death of actress Moji Olaiya in Canada in 2017.
According to Quadri, he joined fellow actors Fathia Balogun, Yomi Fabiyi and others in visiting Tinubu’s residence in Bourdillon, Lagos, to seek assistance with bringing Olaiya’s remains back to Nigeria.
He said Tinubu asked about the cost before providing $25,000 for 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 said.
“He asked us for the cost and paid it. It was a total of $25,000.”
Quadri added that the assistance he described had influenced his decision to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
South-West Roads Also Influence His Position
Beyond his personal experiences, Quadri cited infrastructure development in the South-West as another reason for supporting the president.
He specifically mentioned the Papalanto-Sagamu road and the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode route.
The actor acknowledged that these projects did not address every infrastructure challenge in the region but said he appreciated the efforts.
“I know it is not enough, but I praise him,” he said.
Quadri also identified pension payments to retirees and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as other areas he viewed positively under the Tinubu administration.
These points reflect the actor’s assessment of the government’s performance rather than an independent evaluation of the projects or programmes.
Yoruba Actors’ Support Ahead Of 2027
Quadri’s latest comments follow his public support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 general elections.
In 2022, he joined other prominent Yoruba actors, including Jide Kosoko, Fausat Balogun, Taiwo Hassan and Femi Adebayo, in backing Tinubu’s candidacy.
His latest remarks again place the relationship between political leaders and entertainment industry figures in focus as parties and supporters prepare for the 2027 elections.
Quadri’s explanation centres on personal experiences, reported financial assistance to colleagues and his views on infrastructure and public programmes.
His account does not, by itself, establish the views of all Yoruba film practitioners or indicate how entertainers and other voters will act in the next election.
