Nollywood veteran Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has urged Nigerians to elect leaders who demonstrate exceptional selflessness and commitment, stating the country requires individuals prepared to make profound personal sacrifices for national progress.
The actress made the remarks during a broadcast interview on Channels Television on Sunday, where she discussed the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections. She expressed frustration with Nigeria’s persistent challenges despite its abundant human and natural resources.
“It’s unfortunate that we’re still where we are now. We have everything that every other nation wants and clamoring for,” she said. Her call centered on the need for decisive, sacrificial leadership. “I wish that our leaders can be bold enough to take some decisions to liberate this country even if it means dying for Nigeria,” she added, emphasizing that national stability ultimately depends on robust laws and their enforcement.
Omotola further questioned the authenticity of public patriotism, stating, “We saw the people coming to say I love Nigeria. I was poor. I did not have one shoe. All are lies. They don’t care.” She doubted the sincerity of some public declarations of love for the country, linking genuine patriotism to tangible sacrifice.
Her comments highlight a recurring public discourse on leadership and accountability in Nigeria. As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy grapples with security concerns, economic pressures, and governance deficits, calls for transformative leadership intensify. The 2027 elections are positioned as a critical juncture for determining the country’s trajectory.
By framing the nation’s predicament as a crisis of leadership rather than a lack of resources, Omotola’s intervention adds a prominent voice from the entertainment industry to the political conversation. Her appeal underscores a widespread desire for a new political class whose actions prioritize national interest over personal or partisan gain, particularly as the next electoral cycle approaches.
