The apology followed criticism of remarks he made during an appearance on The Honest Bunch Podcast, where he said, “Is it today that they have been kidnapping people from their homes in Nigeria?” and added that the country is safer now than it was ten years ago. His comments sparked online backlash, with many accusing him of downplaying the severity of Nigeria’s security challenges.
In a video posted to Instagram, Seyi Law admitted that the statement could be perceived as dismissive of the struggles faced by those affected by kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.
“I looked at that statement, and I saw that it is quite insensitive to people who have had an issue or the other with kidnapping, and I want to sincerely, unreservedly tender an apology to those whom that statement has hurt,” he said. “Even though that was not what I was trying to say.”
The comedian also drew attention to a previous incident during the same podcast, when he mistakenly said he hosted a fundraising dinner for Governor Alex Otti while he was in APC, instead of APGA. He said the earlier correction demonstrates his willingness to apologise publicly when wrong.
Supporting the government, he stressed, does not preclude holding it accountable. “As a supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, I also want to use this opportunity to call on him to intensify efforts in the battle against insecurity,” Seyi Law said.
In the caption accompanying his apology video, he wrote: “My fellow Nigerians, I owe you this and more. You don’t deserve to have your sleep snatched away from you and the pain of one should be the pain of all. I am sincerely and deeply sorry for such insensitive statement. I apologise to victims, families and everyone who has been affected in any way by the insecurity in the country.”
Born Lawrence Oluwaseyitan Aletile on June 22, 1983, Seyi Law hails from Ilaje in Ondo State. He rose to prominence after winning the AY Open Comedy competition in 2006 and has since established himself as a comedian, actor, and television host. In July 2024, he was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment and Tourism to the Ondo State Governor.