Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola, has said bullying and attacks by Nigerians over political differences influenced her decision to publicly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
Akintola made the disclosure during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, where she criticised the practice of attacking people over their political choices.
The actress said the backlash faced by veteran actress Joke Silva over her support for Tinubu also influenced her decision to publicly declare her support for the then All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate.
“I supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the last election because Nigerians annoyed me with their bullying,” Akintola said.
She recalled how Silva was targeted by critics and said the treatment prompted her to make a video declaring her support for Tinubu, despite knowing that she could face similar criticism.
“They bullied Aunty Joke to the point that someone wrote something that was so inhumane. So, I made a video and said, ‘I’m also supporting Tinubu, kill me, let me see if you can change my mind,’” she said.
Akintola said she was frustrated by what she described as the tendency of Nigerians to turn political disagreements into attacks against people who hold opposing views.
“Nigerians are annoying. Don’t bully other people. We have our rights to differences of opinion. You don’t like this man, cool, you have the right not to like him. You prefer this person, good for you. But don’t bully others,” she added.
The actress urged Nigerians to respect differing political opinions and allow individuals to make their own choices during elections.
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