“We Were Betrayed After Campaigning for Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu” — Nollywood Actor Lalude Cries Out
Veteran Nollywood actor Fatai Adetayo, popularly known as Lalude, has publicly accused the campaign teams of President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of betrayal and abandonment after actively supporting their 2023 general election campaigns.
In a candid interview on YouTube’s Behind the Fame channel, Lalude revealed that he and several of his colleagues, including fellow actor Alapini, campaigned for the All Progressives Congress (APC) for nearly two months, yet received no compensation as promised.
“We spent one month and three weeks campaigning,” Lalude said. “They were giving us ₦10,000 daily for feeding. That was supposed to be just feeding money, not payment for our work. But they insisted it was all we’d get.”
He alleged that when younger members of the group suggested saving part of their daily allowance, the organizers became suspicious and began delaying payments. In the end, Lalude said, they were completely abandoned after the campaign.
“After the job, we didn’t get a dime. If we curse them, they won’t survive it until death,” he added, visibly angry.
“They Made Promises They Never Fulfilled”
Lalude specifically called out a leader in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), accusing him of making financial promises that were never fulfilled.
“He personally called me and Alapini to ask what we wanted. He promised to meet us with money on a Thursday. That was the last we heard of it. Nothing came,” he lamented.
“We went to camp. Everything was in vain. This job will not go unrewarded.”
The actor invoked Yoruba curses in the interview, declaring that anyone who withheld their compensation would never benefit from the Tinubu or Sanwo-Olu administrations.
“Anyone who blocked our payment after one month and three weeks of hard work for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu — may they never enjoy the fruits of their labour until their death,” he said.
“Curses are like the wind. They go wherever they will.”
Alapini Speaks: “We Went Home Empty-Handed”
Alapini echoed Lalude’s sentiments, revealing that Governor Sanwo-Olu himself made promises to the team when they visited him during the campaign.
“I remember the day we met His Excellency, Sanwo-Olu. He promised us money. But I don’t know if the organizers took it behind our backs and embezzled it,” he said.
Despite harsh conditions, including trekking long distances while others rode in vehicles, Alapini said he tried to defend the organizers at the time.
“I even lied that we were not maltreated during the campaign,” he admitted.
“Tinubu Promised Through His Son, Seyi”
Lalude further claimed that President Tinubu’s son, Seyi, was mentioned during discussions with the campaign team.
“They told us the President said to ask us what we wanted and meet with his son. But the man who coordinated us said he didn’t want anything and would spend his own money,” Lalude recalled.
“That same person asked me what I wanted, and I told him I wanted a car. He promised both Alapini and I one each.”
According to Lalude, they were later told someone would give them ₦1.5 million the following Thursday — a promise that also never materialized.
“The person we were asked to meet said he hadn’t received any money either.”
“We Regret Supporting Them”
Lalude recounted being camped for seven weeks, trekking two to three miles daily during the campaign period. He and other Yoruba actors, including Aminatu Papapa, have now expressed regret for their support of Tinubu’s candidacy, citing neglect, broken promises, and lack of recognition.
Their outcry adds to a growing list of entertainers who say they feel used and discarded after publicly endorsing political candidates.