Nollywood actor Ebun Oloyede, better known as Olaiya Igwe, has appealed to Nigerians to desist from cursing him over the current hardship occasioned by the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, whom he campaigned for in the 2023 general elections.

Olaiya Igwe faced backlash after going to a Lagos beach unclad to invoke spirits in support of Tinubu’s aspiration.

“I went to the beach naked to pray for Tinubu based on revelation,” Olaiya Igwe said in a video apologising to Nigerians. “I did that as payback for Tinubu, my benefactor.”

He added, “Nigerians, please don’t be angry. You see me as one of those who brought this hardship on the country. I accept. You are raining curses on me because you felt my going to the beach unclad to pray for Tinubu influenced you to vote for him. I’m sorry.” 

Lamenting the prevailing economic hardships in the country, Olaiya Igwe charged Mr Tinubu to wake up to the cries of Nigerians. He warned that the curses he gets daily will reach the president if he fails to do the needful.

He added, “If you (Tinubu) fail to wake up to your responsibility, the curses I get daily you will also get. Had it been that things turned out good in the country since Mr Tinubu assumed office, those insulting and cursing me would have stopped.”

The actor, who said Tinubu was trying to stabilise the economy, appealed to the president to set up a monitoring team to ensure his promises are delivered to citizens.

“Nigerians are crying. That’s why everyone is angry. Even Nigerians in the diaspora are not happy with the present situation in Nigeria. I want to talk to our father, Tinubu. Daddy, (Tinubu) Nigerians are not happy; they are crying. Their expectations are not met. I know you are trying. You need to appoint a monitoring team to ensure they deliver on your plans and promises to citizens,” the renowned actor stated.

Olaiya Igwe becomes the second among celebrities who openly campaigned for Tinubu, lamenting economic hardship in the country.

Last week, fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde, aka Kwam 1, also Tinubu’s praise singer during his campaign, cried out over economic hardship in the country.

“Nigerians are angry, traders are angry, why is kidnapping on the increase?” Kwam 1 sang, lamenting the naira freefall against the dollar.  

On Monday, hordes of protesters hit the streets of Minna, Niger State capital, shutting down major roads over the soaring cost of living under Tinubu’s watch. 

Food prices have spiked in the last six months, but Tinubu urged understanding.

“The financial re-engineering of our country is ongoing. We are determined to deliver Nigeria safely through the tunnel of hope, stability, and economic prosperity,” Tinubu stated in December.