Actor Aremu Afolayan has apologised to Nigerians over remarks he made at a recent EKO57 campaign gathering, a political support group set up to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.
The group launched on Sunday with the participation of several Nollywood figures, including Yomi Fash-Lanso, Remi Surutu and Lege Miami.
At the event, Aremu endorsed Tinubu’s re-election and downplayed concerns about the rising cost of living. He also dismissed reports of insurgency, saying, “When you watch the news about insurgency, don’t mind them, it’s all scripted.”
The comments sparked backlash on social media, with some Nigerians accusing him of being paid to speak at the gathering.
In a video shared on Instagram on Thursday, Aremu, the younger brother of filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, said his remarks were misunderstood and apologised.
He said, “I’m sorry. The curse has been too much, and I didn’t offend anyone but just went wrong. I picked what I shouldn’t have picked. Two narratives are circulating on social media: one says I collected money; the other says I didn’t. My heart is heavy because I’ve hurt a lot of Nigerians. The second narration concerns insecurity, and it’s obvious that insecurity is in town and everywhere in Nigeria, and the government isn’t doing anything about it.”
He explained that his point was to highlight the country’s security challenges, not to dismiss them. “What I was trying to say in the video was that if you see anybody shouting ‘they’re coming from this side’ and someone on the news was saying ‘don’t worry, nothing is happening, be calm, don’t answer that person’ because they were reading a script, that was all I was trying to say. I’m sorry, Nigerians. What I was saying, in essence, is that insecurity is in Nigeria, and anybody reading a script that says ‘it’ll be fine’ is lying because it’s obvious there is insecurity. My best friend’s mother was kidnapped, and I’m not supposed to say it here. How could I say there’s no insecurity? We didn’t bring it out because we had to pay millions of people to get her released. The curse you placed on me was much,” he said.
Aremu also announced that he would step away from partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general election. “Due to this heat and curse I have received, I’m saying I’m at my lowest stage, sober, and asking Nigerians who have supported me through my career and my two businesses, while the government didn’t support my business, to please forgive me. For this, I know your (Nigerians’) choice isn’t Bola Tinubu or the regime of Tinubu. What I went to do was call Lege Miami. I liked the thing you brought up, and right now we can talk to our local government chairmen directly and hold them accountable. That was why I went for that, not the other way round. I’m withdrawing from everything to do with politics and standing with my people. Please forgive me.”
EKO57 is among several support groups that have emerged to mobilise early backing for political actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
