Amidst economic challenges, Nigerian celebrities are lending their voices to demand government accountability. With widespread concerns over rising inflation and unemployment, public figures are urging leaders to prioritise citizen welfare and implement effective policies. In this report, Daily Trust Saturday highlights the Nigerian celebrities who have called out the government following the ongoing hardship.
As the nation grapples with various challenges, including inflation and unemployment, Nigerian celebrities are leveraging on their platforms to demand transparency, effective governance, and solutions to alleviate the plight of citizens.
Renowned Fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, famously known as K1 De Ultimate, is one of the many entertainers who has come out to address the government on the rising economic hardship. K1 directly addressed President Bola Tinubu, expressing Nigerians’ collective suffering and frustration with his government amidst the current economic downturn.
He said, “My boss, Asiwaju Tinubu, the prospective Nigerian President. Nigerians have requested that I convey their greetings to you. I am the one who sang that if Asiwaju, my boss, is elected president, citizens will be fortunate. That those without money will find prosperity, and those seeking divine favour will find it through Asiwaju.
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“Akanbi, my boss, please heed the voices of the people. The citizens are enduring hardship, particularly with soaring petrol prices and a high dollar exchange rate. Even those receiving salaries find it challenging to make ends meet. I know my boss, Asiwaju, is compassionate,” he stated this during a performance.
Before K1 made his announcement, his daughter, Dami Ayinde, also expressed worries about the status of the economy and drew attention to the differences between the APC’s promises and the realities that Nigerians have been made to live with. The aspiring attorney bemoaned the APC’s failure to fulfil its promises, placing people in hardship and unhappiness.
Another celebrity who has spoken about the recent economic crisis is Toyin Abraham. Lately, the actress has come under a lot of criticism from Nigerians following her endorsement of President Bola Tinubu during the presidential election.
Responding to inquiries from fans on her Instagram page, the actress/producer expressed difficulty in expressing her thoughts over the current state of the nation.
Instagram user @tundesuper asked; “@toyin_abraham I am asking respectfully, what’s going through your mind now? Toyin Abraham replied: “@tundesuper I can’t explain, it’s unexplainable but it’s fine, I will be okay.”
Another Instagram user remarked: “I can’t fault you for voting your choice. I just need to know what is going through your mind right now. Please explain how you feel”
The actress responded saying, “@p_a_c_k_a_g_e unexplainable but God will see us all through.”
Although Toyin faced some backlash online, Toyin stated that her primary concern lies with the widespread hardship experienced by many, rather than the opinions expressed on social media.
This won’t be the first time the actress will come under fire for following the economic hardship and her choice of a presidential candidate.
The actress had earlier announced her plan to aid 50 individuals with a sum of N5,000 each. Despite her explanation, that the funds were intended to help with transportation for those struggling to access food supplies, criticism on social media continued.
Nigerian veteran actor Victor Osuagwu also lent his voice to the ongoing hardship faced by many.
Speaking recently at an event, Victor Osuagwu talked about how tough things are for Nigerians. He said “Prices keep going up, but our salaries stay the same, making life harder.” Osuagwu criticized the government for not fixing these problems, especially since President Tinubu promised to do better.
Osuagwu suggested that everyone should go on strike for a few days to make the government listen and do something. He said “government people should work together to solve our issues. Although palliatives were shared between state and local government, it didn’t help much.”
However, as some celebrities have complained over the hardship, Nigerian actor, Yul Edochie has urged Nigerians to be patient with the new government, stating that things will become better.
The actor wrote on his Instagram page saying, “In the next couple of months, we will witness a major boost in the economy & massive transformation in different sectors in Nigeria. Asiwaju boy 100%. No leave, no transfer. I pin.”
The country’s economic challenges have worsened since Tinubu announced an end to fuel subsidies, citing their benefits to neighbouring nations. Additionally, the government’s financial reforms have caused the naira to consistently lose value against the dollar, as the Central Bank of Nigeria adopted market-driven interest rates.
Consequently, there have been outcry by Nigerians over the raising cost of living in the country, resulting to many shutting down businesses and many unable to feed.
