Toyin Abraham Rejects APC Campaign Council Appointment

Toyin Abraham has rejected her reported inclusion in the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council, saying she has chosen to stay out of politics.

The Nollywood actress made the clarification after her name appeared in the list of members of the party’s Entertainment and Creative Economy Directorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abraham reacted on Thursday, September 17, shortly after the campaign council list was released.

She used her Instagram Story to distance herself from the political structure and asked members of the public to disregard the report.

“I’m not a member of any campaign council. I have said it recently. I am staying out of politics. Please disregard the supposed inclusion of my name in any campaign committee,” she wrote.

Her statement came hours after the Lagos APC campaign council unveiled a list containing several prominent names from the entertainment industry.

Abraham was listed alongside veteran actor Jide Kosoko, actresses Eniola Badmus and Bimbo Akintola, and Fuji musicians Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Abass Akande Obesere and Adewale Ayuba.

The names were included in the Entertainment and Creative Economy Directorate of the campaign council.

However, Abraham’s response has now created a distinction between her name appearing on the published list and her stated position on participation in the campaign structure.

The campaign council was unveiled by the Kadri Obafemi Hamzat Media Centre on Thursday.

Its formal inauguration is scheduled for Friday, September 18, at the APC Secretariat on ACME Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

Toke Benson-Awoyinka was listed as Director of the Entertainment and Creative Economy Directorate.

Kosoko was named Co-Director, while Badmus was listed as Deputy Director.

Akeem Alimi, popularly known as Ajala Jalingo, was named Secretary of the directorate. Dare Olateju was listed as Assistant Secretary.

The directorate contains a large number of personalities drawn from the Nigerian entertainment industry, particularly actors, filmmakers and musicians.

Among those listed are veteran actor Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, Saheed Balogun, Bukky Wright, Fathia Balogun, Yinka Quadri and Tayo Sobola.

Other names on the list include Abiola Adebayo, Remi Oshodi, Foluke Daramola, Kikelomo Balogun, Bopo Oyekan Ismaila, Rasaq Yusuf, Aderinola Philips, Olamide Maja and Abbey Lanre.

The music industry also has several representatives in the structure.

They include Sulaimon Alao Adekunle, popularly known as Malaika; Akorede Babatunde Okunola, known as Osupa; and Temitope Adekunle, popularly known as Small Doctor.

Sule Adiro Ataweye, Yemisi Falaye, Leke Babatunde Akinrowo, Kayode Fahm and Aruna Ishola were also listed.

The wider Lagos APC campaign council contains different directorates and committees covering areas connected to the party’s political mobilisation and campaign activities.

The entertainment directorate is one of the structures expected to help the party connect with influential figures and stakeholders within the creative industry.

Abraham’s name appearing on the list isn’t new because of her previous public involvement in politics.

During the 2023 presidential election, the actress openly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu, who contested the election on the platform of the APC.

Her latest statement, however, makes it clear that she does not want her current position to be interpreted as membership of the Lagos APC campaign council.

The actress did not indicate in her statement why her name appeared on the list.

She simply maintained that she was not a member of any campaign council and asked the public to disregard the reported inclusion.

In Lagos, the APC remains the governing party, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Kadri Obafemi Hamzat leading the state government.

The APC campaign council is expected to proceed with its inauguration on Friday despite the actress’ rejection of the reported inclusion of her name.

As of the time of this report, there was no public statement from the Lagos APC campaign council explaining how Abraham’s name came to be included in the published list despite her subsequent denial.