Mixed reactions have continued to greet veteran Nollywood actor Zack Orji’s support for All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
Orji is the vice-president of Ambassadors of Voice of Change.
The actor came under fire after posting a viral video, where he described Tinubu as a chief crusader, and a man who stands for equity, fair play and national cohesion.
Orji called on well-meaning Nigerians to join him in rallying support for Tinubu’s to emerge as the next President of Nigeria.
He said, “My support for Asiwaju Tinubu is personal. I’ve lived in Lagos for over 40 years of my life. I’ve always known this man as a chief crusader for the democratic consolidation of our country Nigeria.
“I’ve always known him (Tinubu) as a man who stands for equity, fair play and national cohesion.
“In his time as Governor of Lagos State, he ran an all-inclusive government drawing people from different ethnic extractions into the Executive Council as decision makers to run the affairs of the state,” he said.
The actor said, “People who came from different ethnic extractions were given an opportunity to be part of decision making in Lagos state. I know with a high degree of certainty that on a national scale, he’ll do the same.
“Though we differ in tribe and tongue, in brotherhood we stand tall. I know when he (Tinubu) becomes the president of this country, he will turn the fortune of this country around,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN has applauded Orji for his declaration of support for the APC presidential candidate.
Keyamo, in a statement via his verified Twitter handle said, “Thank you, Zack Orji, for this insightful and well thought out support.
“For those who are old enough to have lived in Lagos before 1999, let us continue to educate the much younger ones about the revolution that Lagos is today, the foundation of which was laid by @officialABAT,” he added.
But, Dr Jude Orazulike, @judeorazulike, co-founder of Hash Remind, lashed out at Orji, saying If Zack were to be 86yrs old, would he be contesting to be Nigerian president?
He said though Zack spoke his mind, he may have received a lot of financial help from Tinubu.
Orazulike, said, “Aso Rock is not old people’s home and we are not on set for a Nollywood movie shoot.
Presidency is a real work!”
A other Twitter user, @drealOlomo, described Orji’s support for Tinubu as a good development, but added that his (Orji’s) yardstick for his support isn’t perculiar to Tinubu alone.
He said, “All the major candidates are well qualified for the job but Tinubu is old.”
