Veteran Nollywood actor Fatai Adetayo, popularly known as Lalude, has accused the campaign teams of President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of betrayal, citing unfulfilled promises and neglect following the 2023 general election.
Speaking in a recent interview on YouTube’s Behind the Fame, Lalude alleged that he and several other actors who campaigned for the APC candidates for nearly two months received neither the full allowances they were promised nor any post-election compensation.
“We spent one month and three weeks campaigning,” he said. “They gave us ₦10,000 daily for feeding. It was supposed to be more, but that’s what they settled on.”
Lalude explained that younger members of the team attempted to save part of the daily allowance, which led to delays in disbursement. Ultimately, he claimed, they received nothing after the campaign ended.
“In the end, we didn’t get a dime. If we curse them, they won’t survive it,” he said, visibly frustrated.
He also accused a senior figure in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) of reneging on promises of financial support.
“He called Alapini and me, asked us what we needed, and promised to bring money on Thursday. We’ve not heard from him since.”
During the interview, Lalude expressed his anger using traditional Yoruba curses, declaring that those responsible for withholding their compensation “will not prosper.”
“Anyone who blocked our payment after we campaigned for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu may they never enjoy their lives.”
Fellow actor Alapini echoed the sentiment, suggesting that campaign funds may have been misappropriated.
“We met with Governor Sanwo-Olu. He assured us there would be money. I believe the organisers pocketed it,” he said.
Alapini also admitted to defending the campaign team publicly during the election period despite being aware of their mistreatment.
“I even lied to protect them, claiming we weren’t being treated badly.”
Lalude further claimed that President Tinubu directed their requests to his son, Seyi Tinubu, but nothing materialized.
“They told us to speak to Seyi Tinubu. I asked for a car. They promised one to Alapini too.”
Later, they were told ₦1.5 million would be delivered the following week, but the individual assigned to bring the money reportedly said he never received it.
Lalude described the campaign as exhausting, recounting how he and others were often forced to walk long distances while others rode in vehicles.
Other Yoruba actors, including Aminatu Papapa, have also expressed regret over their support for Tinubu, citing the lack of recognition and reward for their efforts.
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