Veteran Nollywood actor Patrick Doyle has taken aim at fellow entertainers who openly endorse politicians for personal enrichment, describing the practice as driven by sheer avarice.
In an interview with Oyinmomo TV, Doyle argued that many in the industry who are already financially comfortable have no justification for seeking private rewards from political alliances. Instead, he insisted, they should use their platforms to advocate for the masses.
"Many of the entertainers are greedy," the 64-year-old thespian said in Yoruba. "If you consider the entertainment industry very well, actors are getting fed well from their income. 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."
When Endorsements Turn Ugly
Doyle revealed that the scramble for political patronage often ends in acrimony among colleagues. He disclosed that some entertainers who throw their weight behind politicians end up fighting each other over the spoils.
"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," he stated.
The Blurring Line Between Stage and State
The actor lamented that the boundary between entertainment and governance has become dangerously porous. According to Doyle, the 2023 presidential election exposed deep fractures within the creative community, with loyalties splitting along partisan lines.
"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," he recounted.
The fallout, he noted, extended beyond professional rivalries. "Some actors became targets and were subjected to physical and online abuse."
Unfulfilled Promises
Doyle's intervention arrives amid growing discontent among some Yoruba actors who campaigned for President Bola Tinubu in 2023. Multiple figures have recently come forward to claim they never received the rewards they were promised for their political loyalty—a development that lends credence to Doyle's broader critique.
For the veteran broadcaster and actor, who began his career in 1981 with Voice of Nigeria and the Nigeria Television Authority, the issue is not political engagement itself, but its commercialization by those who need not sell their conscience.
"Acting is an art form that should remain independent of government influence," he maintained.
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