Veteran Nollywood actor Antar Laniyan has said he would walk away from any gathering where a friend criticises President Bola Tinubu, insisting that he would not participate in conversations condemning the Nigerian leader, regardless of his personal relationship with the individual.
Laniyan made the declaration during an appearance on the African A-List podcast.
The veteran filmmaker also stated that his position would remain unchanged even if he personally experienced problems with the president.
“If you are my friend, and while we are together, you talk against President Bola Tinubu, I will walk away because he has not been what you’re saying to me. I don’t have to support you,” Laniyan said.
Laniyan added that even if Tinubu’s actions affected him personally, he would still refuse to engage in conversations criticising the president.
“Even if he does it to me, I will not engage in the conversation, I will still walk away,” the actor stated.
Laniyan’s remarks come amid continuing public discussions about the Tinubu administration, particularly the economic challenges facing Nigerians and differing opinions about the government’s handling of the country’s affairs.
The actor’s comments have also placed him among entertainment industry figures who have publicly expressed their views about Tinubu and his administration.
His statement comes shortly after fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko defended the President’s government while addressing concerns about Nigeria’s economic situation.
Kosoko had argued that the country’s current hardship should not be blamed entirely on the Tinubu administration. He maintained that previous governments had failed to plan adequately for the country’s growing population, suggesting that the challenges confronting Nigerians cannot be separated from decisions made by successive administrations.
Although both actors have spoken in defence of Tinubu, their remarks have focused on different aspects of the discussion surrounding his leadership. While Kosoko addressed the country’s economic difficulties and the responsibility of past governments, Laniyan concentrated on how he responds to criticism of the president in his personal relationships.
