The ace Nollywood actor, Patrick Doyle, has criticised colleagues who publicly endorse politicians in exchange for personal gains, describing such behaviour as “greedy.”
In an interview with Oyinmomo TV, Doyle argued that financially comfortable entertainers should advocate for the masses rather than seeking private benefits from political alliances.
The 64-year-old actor also revealed that some filmmakers end up fighting among themselves over the financial rewards they receive from politicians after campaigning for them.
“Many of the entertainers are greedy. Because if you consider the entertainment industry very well, actors are getting fed well from their income,” he said in the Yoruba language.
“And if you are comfortable and you want to contribute, you should not be looking for personal benefits again. They should speak on behalf of the masses.
“Most of those entertainers who campaigned in my presence, you would actually think they are really campaigning for that person, and when they are done, you will still see the entertainers fighting themselves over the financial benefit.
“The problem is just greed.”
Doyle further maintained that acting is an art form that should remain independent of government influence.
“For years, the line between the stage and the state has blurred, with a swelling tide of entertainers stepping off the screen and onto the soapbox, declaring their political loyalties for all to see,” he continued.
“The spark of that involvement had ignited a wildfire during the last presidential election. The entertainment industry found itself split down the middle, fractured by clashing presidential allegiances.
“Some actors became targets and were subjected to physical and online abuse.”
More recently, a number of Yoruba actors who campaigned for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 election have publicly claimed they did not receive the rewards they were promised.