Bimbo Akintola, one of Nigeria’s most respected actresses, says part of the reason she openly backed President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections was to push back against what she describes as a growing wave of online bullying targeting public figures.
Okay News reports that Akintola made the remarks during a recent appearance on the WithChude podcast, where she spoke at length about the toll of toxic behaviour on social media.
Akintola said the hostility she observed during the election season reached a point she found deeply troubling, noting that celebrities were singled out and harassed for expressing political views.
She referenced an incident involving veteran actress Joke Silva, saying what happened to her colleague triggered a strong reaction.
“Somebody annoyed me. Nigerians annoyed me. Do not bully other people. We have our rights to different opinions. You do not like this man, you have a right not to like him. You prefer this person, good for you,” she said.
She explained that the treatment of Silva prompted her to go public with her own political stance during the campaign. “But then someone bullied Aunty Joke to a point that it was so deeply (offensive). And I made a video saying I will be going for the same person, kill me. Let me see you kill me. Let me see you change my mind with your bully.”
Akintola used the conversation to call for healthier public discourse, saying Nigeria’s democracy is stronger when people respect differing opinions.
“We need to stop it. We need to understand that we can never agree with everybody. That is what makes us great. If we were all the same it would be a boring life,” she continued.
She also reaffirmed her right to choose her preferred candidate, stressing that disagreement should never lead to harassment. “Till tomorrow you might not agree that he was the best person for the job, but at that point that is who I wanted. And that is who I voted for.”
“(You will not take my voice away). It is mine.”
