Nollywood actress Bukky Raji, fondly called Aminatu Papapa, has expressed deep regret over her support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections.
In a candid interview with Oyinmomo TV, she admitted her decision was influenced by economic interests and misplaced confidence.
Reflecting on her stance, Raji acknowledged the toll of current hardship and extended an emotional plea to Nigerians:
“What I regret in my life is that they said they wanted to renew hope. I use this moment to beg Nigerians, those I love, that love me and don’t love me.”
Her apology, she said, stems from personal reflection rather than criticism online.
“The only thing I regret…I wasn’t told, I later saw it.
Don’t be angry, your source of living won’t be difficult.
There is a saying that anyone that you have not seen for a long time, there is need to observe the person carefully again, not vouching for the person. That was where I made a mistake.”
Explaining her motive for joining the Tinubu campaign, Raji said she hoped a fellow southerner would reverse the border closure that crippled her rice business.
“It’s not because people bashed me on my page but because I sat down and reflected… ‘Oh God, I’ve made a mistake.’ It was the campaign that I did for Tinubu that I am pained about. The masses are hungry.
“What I thought was that in the North, the borders were opened during Buhari’s administration. My thought was that when Jagaban gets into office, he will reopen the borders in our region,” she disclosed.
She revealed how her own livelihood had been hit hard:
“I, myself, I took part in the suffering because it’s the business I’m in. I began this business with 20 bags of rice, then I became someone that was offloading trailers of rice.
“Now, tell me, didn’t I also take part in the suffering? I felt if he (Tinubu) gets elected, things will be better… but it’s all of us that’s suffering, including those that campaigned and those that didn’t.
“Don’t be angry, I’ve offended you. That’s my regret in life, not because people bashed me. If you come for me, I will come for you.”
On what influenced her choice, Raji mentioned promises made during pre-election meetings.
“When we were in a meeting, some politicians said they were going to make an impact on citizens.
If you are assured of their manifesto, won’t you speak to people about their mandate as an ambassador? You will definitely go. These people told us they were going to work. It is still the same as yesterday.”
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She also addressed the question of compensation. Contrary to speculation, Raji claimed she wasn’t paid.
“I can boldly say I did not receive a dime, and it was not as if they did not offer us money. I told everyone that we did it together that it was the Awolowo curse that had an effect on every one of us. We were told to share the money equally but some disagreed. They said they are some elders somewhere.
“Yes, we had elders among us in the industry but that was the genesis of the disunity. At the end of the day, we did not get anything.
“I am speaking for myself, maybe others collected… He never said he was not going to give us money, he did, but disunity, lack of love, and greed followed…”
Beyond politics, Raji recalled past struggles in business and how her husband stood by her. She also referenced a heated exchange with Adunni Ade, another actress who had publicly criticized unnamed celebrities for backing candidates.
Adunni claimed some actors spent two months campaigning for just N90,000. In a fiery video response, Raji defended her actions.
“Adunni Ade or what are they calling you? Are you crazy? You said some people went to work for 40 days and at the end of the day the money they were given was peanuts. What’s your own there? Did they tell you we went there because of money? Or the love we have for Asiwaju?”
Raji’s statement shows a shift from political loyalty to personal accountability, as she reflects on her role in a decision that, in her view, hasn’t brought the results she expected.