Popular Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has revealed that her open support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the last general election negatively affected her career, urging fellow actors to remain neutral in political matters.
The actress made the remark while speaking with fellow Nollywood star Timini Egbuson, offering advice on strategies to ensure his movies perform well at the box office.
During the conversation, Abraham cautioned the actor against publicly aligning with political figures, stressing that neutrality is safer for entertainers whose success largely depends on public support.
“I will give you the best advice of your life — don’t put your mouth in politics,” she said. “Don’t tell them you are supporting anybody. Don’t support anybody, just be on your own. Be neutral.”
When Egbuson reminded her of her outspoken support for Tinubu during the election campaign, Abraham responded, “That was then,” before admitting that the decision had consequences for her career.
Reacting emotionally, the actress added, “Haaaaa, it affected me oooo,” indicating that the backlash from some members of the public had impacted her work.
Following the 2023 elections, Abraham had been criticised online by some social media users who opposed her political stance. Some netizens even vowed to boycott her movies because of her campaign for Tinubu.
The backlash became more pronounced after the release of her film Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper, which she earlier alleged was being illegally circulated on WhatsApp shortly after its release.
While reacting to negative reactions to the film at the time, Abraham lamented what she described as double standards in political expression among Nigerians.
“You all will tell the world why choosing my own candidate is a crime and yours is not,” she said in an earlier statement while addressing the controversy surrounding the movie.
Her latest comments highlight the broader debate within Nigeria’s entertainment industry about whether celebrities should openly participate in partisan politics or maintain neutrality to protect their careers.