In a matter of days, Aremu Afolayan went from a confident voice at a pro-government gathering to a visibly shaken figure, apologising to millions of Nigerians and walking away from politics altogether. His appearance at the support group aligned with Bola Tinubu, EKO57 was meant to signal endorsement. Instead, it triggered a storm.
At the event, the Nollywood actor appeared to dismiss concerns about rising hardship and insecurity. His remarks, which quickly went viral, were widely condemned as out of touch with the realities facing many Nigerians.
It was followed by outrage online, accusations of insensitivity, and questions about the role of celebrities in political advocacy. Shortly after, Aremu Afolayan took to social media to react. He didn’t bother to defend his position, instead he apologised, admitting his words had hurt Nigerians. He also announced his complete withdrawal from political involvement.
The Eko57 Appearance That Sparked Outrage
The controversy traces back to Sunday, March 15, 2026, when Aremu Afolayan appeared at an Eko57 gathering in Lagos. It is a political platform mobilising support for president Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event, which featured several Nollywood figures including Ayo Adesanya, Remi Surutu, Lege Miami and Yomi Fash-Lanso, was designed to rally grassroots backing. Aremu Afolayan did more than just show support, he delivered remarks that would soon ignite national backlash.
In a video that quickly went viral, the actor openly endorsed Tinubu’s re-election while appearing to dismiss widespread concerns about Nigeria’s economic hardship, stating that he personally was unaffected by the rising cost of living.
More controversially, he downplayed insecurity which is one of the country’s most sensitive issues. He suggested that reports of insurgency were exaggerated and even “scripted.”
The comments struck a nerve almost instantly. At a time when many Nigerians were grappling with inflation, kidnappings, and violence across different regions, Afolayan’s remarks were seen not just as political endorsement, but as a stark disconnect from lived reality.
Within hours, the video had spread across social media platforms, setting the stage for what would become one of the most intense celebrity backlashes in recent days.
As criticism mounted, the actor became the subject of intense online scrutiny, with insults and “curses”.
“I Am Very Sober”: Aremu Afolayan Walks It Back
Aremu Afolayan finally broke his silence on Instagram on March 19.
In the video released days after the backlash, the actor opened with a deeply emotional admission:
“Good morning Nigerians… I am so, so sober this morning. I am very sober… First, to all Nigerians… I am sorry. Before I say anything, I am sorry.”
It was a stark contrast to his earlier public posture. This time, he acknowledged the weight of public anger and the depth of the hurt his words had caused.
“My heart is heavy and I have hurt a lot of Nigerians deeply… I am seriously sorry. The curses have been too much.”
Amid swirling accusations that he had been paid to promote a political narrative, Afolayan directly addressed the claims:
“I didn’t take money from anyone. No, not at all.”
But it was his attempt to clarify his controversial remarks on insecurity that formed the core of his apology. Contrary to the viral interpretation, he insisted he never meant to deny Nigeria’s security crisis. He shared:
“It is obvious that insecurity is everywhere in Nigeria… and the government are not doing anything about it.”
He explained that his original comment was aimed at criticising official narratives, not dismissing public suffering. He clarified:
“What I was trying to say in the video was that if you saw anybody shouting ‘they’re coming from this side’ and someone on the news was saying ‘don’t worry, nothing is happening, be calm, don’t answer that person’ because they were reading a script, that was all I was trying to say. I’m sorry, Nigerians. What I was saying, in essence, is that insecurity is in Nigeria, and anybody reading a script that says ‘it’ll be fine is lying because it’s obvious there is insecurity.”
To drive the point home, he made the issue painfully personal:
“My best friend’s mother was kidnapped, and I’m not supposed to say it here. How could I say there’s no insecurity? We didn’t bring it out because we had to pay millions of Naira to get her released. The curse you placed on me was much.”
As the video progressed, the apology became more personal and he got on his knees. Afolayan repeatedly appealed to Nigerians across ethnic and social lines, acknowledging their role in his career and success:
“It’s you, my people, that supported me… not the government… I am sorry. Please forgive me.”
At what appeared to be his most vulnerable moment, the actor admitted the toll the backlash had taken. Still on his knees, he revealed that even close friends, northerners, across Nigeria had reached out, reinforcing the scale of the controversy:
“If my friends are calling me… that means this thing is everywhere.”
Total Withdrawal from Politics
Then came the decisive turning point. Towards the end of the video, he made a complete retreat from political involvement, including anything linked to President Bola Tinubu:
“I am withdrawing everything… anything that has to do with politics, I am withdrawing.”
In a symbolic gesture, he even instructed that all items associated with the movement be discarded:
“Throw all those things away… I don’t want to have anything to do with this again.”
“I am standing with you, my people… please forgive me.”
Reacting to Aremu’s apology video, the coordinator of Eko57 movement, Lege Miami on March 20, took to Instagram. Standing qith some other members, Lege said:
“Aremu Afolayan is no longer a member of Eko57. Please stop bullying him. If you want to bully anybody, come and bully me or my members. Leave him alone.”
Eko57 Movement
The movement, known as the Eko 57 Movement, was unveiled in Lagos as a pro-Tinubu platform aimed at mobilising support and reinforcing political continuity. The political support group is dedicated to the re-election campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
While Eko means Lagos, the number “57” in Lagos political contexts often refers to the 57 local government administrative units (20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas) that make up Lagos State.
The group officially launched in Lagos on Sunday, March 15, 2026, and is coordinated by popular Nollywood actor and social media personality Lege Miami. Other members who were at the launch asides Aremu Afolayan include Ayo Adesanya, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Remi Surutu, among others.
The Eko 57 Movement comes at a time when many Nigerians are dealing with economic pressure. Inflation remains high, and the cost of basic goods continues to rise. Because of this, many Nigerians are on edge.
Afolayan’s experience underscores a hard truth, that in times of national strain, Nigerians are not just listening. They are questioning and responding in real time.
And in this case, the response was loud enough to force a retreat.
