Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the worsening state of insecurity and economic hardship in the country, marking a dramatic reversal from his earlier public support for the president.
Edochie, who had months earlier appealed to Nigerians to trust Tinubu’s leadership and remain patient because “Jagaban will fix Nigeria,” said the current situation in the country has become unbearable and can no longer be ignored. In a strongly worded message shared on his social media pages, the actor lamented the growing boldness of bandits, the daily reports of mass kidnappings, and the persistent economic difficulties confronting citizens.
“Dear President Tinubu, bandits are gradually taking over the whole country, spilling the blood of Nigerians at will without consequences,” Edochie wrote. “Nigerians are being kidnapped in numbers daily. Things are so expensive, the suffering is unbearable for Nigerians. Is this the renewed hope you promised Nigerians?”
His remarks come at a time when multiple parts of the country are recording an uptick in violent crimes, including kidnappings, bandit attacks, and communal clashes. Many Nigerians have complained of escalating food prices, declining income, and increasing insecurity despite repeated assurances from the federal government that reforms are underway to stabilise the economy and bolster security.
For many observers, Edochie’s comments signal a significant shift in public sentiment among influential figures who had initially given the Tinubu administration the benefit of the doubt. The actor had been one of the few prominent entertainment personalities who openly urged citizens to exercise patience and confidence in the president’s ability to deliver on his “Renewed Hope” agenda.
In the months following Tinubu’s inauguration, Edochie repeatedly asked Nigerians to remain calm and optimistic, insisting that the president had the capacity and political will to turn the country around. In one of his earlier statements, he criticised those who doubted the administration’s competence, urging them to “relax” because Tinubu would “fix Nigeria.”
However, his latest comments suggest frustration with the pace of progress and the seriousness of the challenges currently confronting Nigerians. The actor noted that citizens were suffering on multiple fronts, from insecurity to cost-of-living pressures, and asked the president to intervene decisively before the situation deteriorates further.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that kidnapping-for-ransom has expanded beyond the northern region and is increasingly becoming a nationwide menace. Attacks on highways, rural communities, and even residential areas have continued to generate fear among citizens. In many cases, families have been forced to pay huge ransoms to secure the release of abducted relatives.
Meanwhile, the cost of basic goods has risen sharply in recent months, driven by inflation, high transportation costs, and currency instability. The removal of fuel subsidy earlier in the administration, although intended to support long-term fiscal reforms, has contributed to immediate spikes in prices of essential items and transportation fares.
Edochie’s message reflects grievances shared by many Nigerians who say the economic pressure has pushed millions into deeper poverty. His intervention also highlights the growing impatience among citizens who believe government communication has not matched the reality of daily life.
The presidency has yet to respond to the actor’s remarks, and it remains unclear whether the administration will take his concerns into consideration or dismiss them as part of ongoing public criticism.
People note that although Edochie is not the first celebrity to criticise the government, his case stands out because of his previous open support for Tinubu. His sudden shift, they say, may encourage other public figures—especially those who had been silent—to speak more boldly about the conditions facing ordinary Nigerians.
For now, Edochie insists his comments are not borne out of malice but a genuine concern for the country. “Things are hard,” he told his followers. “People are suffering. The president must act.”
