Antar Laniyan Draws Criticism Over Tinubu Remarks

Veteran Nollywood actor Antar Laniyan has faced criticism after a resurfaced video showed him saying he would walk away from a friend who criticised President Bola Tinubu in his presence.

The clip, from an episode of the African A-List podcast, shows Laniyan explaining that he would not engage in a conversation attacking the president. He said Tinubu was not the person his friend described and that he was not required to share the other person’s opinion.

Laniyan added that even if Tinubu had personally helped him, he would still leave rather than participate in the discussion. His comments have sparked reactions online, with some users describing his position as selfish.

The controversy followed fellow actor Yinka Quadri’s appearance on the same podcast, where he expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election. Quadri cited the president’s alleged assistance to entertainers, including a $25,000 contribution towards repatriating actress Moji Olaiya’s remains from Canada in 2017. He also mentioned road projects in the South-West, pension payments and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

Several Yoruba actors endorsed Tinubu in 2022, but some later said they felt abandoned after the campaign. Olaiya Igwe also apologised for supporting him.

Laniyan, who began acting in 1981, had not responded publicly to the criticism at the time of reporting.