KUNLE REMI SPARKS CONTROVERSY WITH CALL TO USE JOS TRAGEDY IMAGERY FOR PRESIDENT TINUBU’S BIRTHDAY

Nollywood actor Kunle Remi has drawn intense public scrutiny following a viral video in which he urged Nigerians to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 74th birthday by sharing imagery of victims from the recent terrorist attack in Jos, Plateau State. The actor’s unconventional proposal has ignited a polarized debate across social media, pitting advocates for government accountability against those defending the office of the presidency.

The Anikulapo star suggested that the traditional celebratory graphics and “Renewed Hope” birthday flyers should be replaced with visuals reflecting the pain of the Jos disaster, which occurred just fifteen hours prior to the President’s birthday. Remi specifically identified a widely circulated clip of a grieving woman as the “only image” that should accompany birthday wishes to the Commander-in-Chief.

“Today is the birthday of the President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Please, let’s wish him a happy birthday. But there is an image or a video of a woman in pain, crying from the loss of someone… That is the image we should use,” Remi stated in the video. He further emphasized that such a move should serve as the primary “celebratory message” to draw attention to the security challenges currently facing the nation.

The reaction to the actor’s statement has been instantaneous and divided. Supporters of the move have praised Remi for using his platform to highlight the plight of citizens in conflict zones, citing exhaustion with rising insecurity and economic hardship. Conversely, critics have labeled the approach as a sign of disrespect toward the Presidency, arguing that national tragedies should not be weaponized against a personal milestone.

This development follows a series of public criticisms by Remi regarding the state of the Nigerian economy, including high fuel costs and erratic power supply in Lagos. By challenging his colleagues in the entertainment industry to stop “masking the reality” of national struggles, the actor has positioned himself as a vocal critic of the current administration’s handling of domestic crises. As of press time, the Presidency has not issued an official response to the actor’s comments.