Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
Veteran Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku has urged Nigerians to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu more time to address the country’s challenges, arguing that many of the problems confronting Nigeria existed before the current administration came into office.
Anuku made the remarks during an appearance on The Honest Bunch podcast, with excerpts from the interview shared on the programme’s social media platforms on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The actor defended Tinubu’s administration and called for patience with the President’s policies, saying Nigerians were expecting results too quickly. He argued that Tinubu inherited longstanding national problems and should not be held solely responsible for difficulties that accumulated under previous governments.
His comments come amid continuing public debate over the performance of the Tinubu administration and growing political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Anuku Calls for Patience With Tinubu
Anuku’s central message was that Nigerians should allow President Tinubu sufficient time to implement his policies and attempt to address the country’s longstanding challenges.
The actor said the country was not placed in its current condition by Tinubu alone and pointed to previous administrations as part of the history behind Nigeria’s present difficulties.
He argued that the President should therefore be judged with an understanding of the problems he inherited rather than being blamed for every challenge confronting the country.
Anuku also described Nigerians as being in too much of a hurry to see immediate results, maintaining that the government should be given more time to pursue its agenda.
The comments amount to a public expression of support for the President, but they remain the actor’s personal political assessment rather than an official position of the Federal Government.
Actor Says Tinubu Is Doing Well
During the interview, Anuku expressed a positive assessment of Tinubu’s performance.
He said the President was doing well and urged Nigerians to remain patient with the administration.
The actor’s position contrasts with criticism from opposition politicians, civil society voices and other Nigerians who have questioned aspects of the government’s economic and security policies.
Anuku did not present detailed economic data or specific government programmes to substantiate his assessment during the portions of the interview reported by the media.
Instead, his argument centred largely on the need for patience and the belief that the problems facing Nigeria have deeper historical roots.
That distinction is important because Anuku’s comments represent an opinion about the government’s performance rather than an independently verified assessment of the country’s economic or security conditions.
Anuku Supports Tinubu Remaining in Office
The actor also indicated that he expects Tinubu to remain in office for his full constitutional tenure.
Reports of the interview said Anuku expressed confidence that the President should be allowed to complete his tenure rather than being replaced before the end of his term.
His position takes on additional political significance as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
President Tinubu was inaugurated on May 29, 2023, after winning the 2023 presidential election. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2027, meaning political parties and potential candidates are already positioning themselves for the next electoral contest.
Anuku’s comments therefore place him among public figures who are openly defending the current administration as political competition intensifies.
‘The Devil You Know’ Argument
Anuku also questioned whether Nigerians could be certain that a future administration would perform better than Tinubu’s government.
He argued that replacing the current leadership could potentially result in a government that performs worse.
In making the point, the actor used the familiar expression that the known option may be preferable to an unknown alternative. Several reports quoted him using the phrase “the devil, you know, is better” to explain his position.
The argument reflects a political preference for continuity rather than a prediction supported by evidence about the performance of any future government.
Whether Tinubu performs better or worse than a future administration cannot be established in advance.
For voters, such questions will ultimately be determined through political debate, competing policy proposals and the electoral process.
Anuku Denies Being Paid to Support Tinubu
The actor also addressed suggestions that his support for Tinubu could have been influenced by financial considerations.
According to reports of the interview, Anuku rejected the suggestion that anyone was paying him to speak positively about the President.
He presented his support as a personal decision based on his own assessment of the administration and his belief that Nigerians should be patient.
No evidence was presented in the reports reviewed to establish that Anuku was being financially compensated for his comments.
The issue is relevant because political endorsements by prominent entertainers often attract questions about motivation, particularly during periods of heightened political competition.
In this case, however, the actor himself denied receiving payment for his position.
His Comments Come Amid Wider Debate Over Tinubu
Anuku’s intervention comes at a time when President Tinubu’s administration remains the subject of intense national debate.
Since taking office in 2023, Tinubu has pursued major economic reforms, most notably the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes affecting foreign exchange policy.
The reforms have been defended by the administration as necessary measures to address structural weaknesses in the Nigerian economy and improve long-term economic stability.
They have also attracted criticism over their immediate impact on household finances and the cost of living.
The debate has therefore produced sharply different assessments of the government’s performance.
Supporters argue that the administration inherited serious economic problems and that reforms require time to produce sustainable results.
Critics, meanwhile, argue that Nigerians are entitled to demand immediate relief and accountability for the effects of government policies.
Anuku’s position clearly falls on the side of patience and continuity.
Economic Hardship Remains a Major Political Issue
The actor’s appeal cannot be separated from the broader economic debate in Nigeria.
The cost of food, transportation, housing, energy and other basic necessities has become a major concern for households.
These issues have also become important political questions ahead of the 2027 elections.
For supporters of the administration, the argument is that economic reforms should be evaluated over a longer period rather than solely through short-term hardship.
For critics, the argument is that government policies must be judged by their impact on ordinary Nigerians, particularly workers and low-income households.
Anuku did not provide a detailed policy framework for addressing these competing concerns.
Instead, his appeal was primarily for Nigerians to give the President time.
The Actor’s Comments Are Not a Government Position
Although Anuku expressed strong support for Tinubu, his comments should not be interpreted as an official endorsement issued by the presidency or the Federal Government.
He is a private citizen and entertainer expressing his political views.
The distinction is particularly important in reporting political comments by celebrities.
Actors, musicians and other public figures can influence public discussion because of their large audiences, but their statements do not automatically represent government policy or establish the success or failure of a particular programme.
In this case, Anuku’s comments provide an indication of his own assessment of the administration.
They do not, by themselves, establish that Tinubu’s policies are succeeding or that the country’s problems have been solved.
Anuku’s Personal Experiences
During the interview, Anuku also spoke about personal difficulties in his life, including the death of his wife and the emotional impact of the loss.
Reports said the actor described the death as deeply painful and spoke about a period in which he struggled emotionally following the loss. He also discussed what he described as betrayal by people he had regarded as friends.
Anuku said he had subsequently found renewed strength through his faith.
The personal discussion provided a broader context to the interview, which was not limited to politics.
It also allowed the actor to speak about experiences that have affected his personal and professional life.
Hanks Anuku and Public Scrutiny
Anuku has previously attracted public attention over videos circulated on social media that prompted speculation about his wellbeing.
The actor rejected claims surrounding some of the videos and said the publicity had negatively affected his reputation and career.
Recent reports again referenced those earlier controversies while discussing his appearance on The Honest Bunch.
The renewed discussion highlights the difficult relationship between public figures, social media and personal privacy.
For journalists and audiences, claims about an individual’s wellbeing require particular care because social media footage can easily be taken out of context or interpreted without sufficient evidence.
Anuku’s latest comments should therefore be considered on the basis of what he actually said during the interview rather than assumptions based on previous online controversies.
Celebrity Voices in Nigerian Politics
Nigerian entertainers have increasingly participated in political discussions, particularly during election periods.
The country’s large entertainment industry gives actors and musicians significant public visibility, meaning their political views can attract considerable attention.
Celebrity endorsements, however, are not substitutes for evidence-based evaluation of government policies.
An actor’s support for a political leader can influence public conversation, but voters ultimately have access to a broader range of information, including government records, economic indicators, policy proposals and the performance of elected officials.
Anuku’s intervention is therefore best understood as part of Nigeria’s wider public conversation about the direction of the country.
2027 Election Gives the Debate Added Significance
The timing of Anuku’s remarks is significant because Nigeria is moving towards another presidential election.
Political parties and prospective candidates are already preparing for the 2027 contest, while debates over the performance of the current administration are likely to intensify.
Tinubu’s supporters are expected to emphasise the administration’s reform agenda and argue that its policies require continuity.
Opposition parties and critics are likely to focus on economic hardship, security concerns and other areas where they believe the government has fallen short.
Anuku’s call for patience therefore fits into a broader political argument over whether Nigerians should prioritise continuity or seek a change of leadership.
The eventual decision will rest with voters through the constitutional electoral process.
Why Anuku’s Message Matters
The significance of Anuku’s comments lies less in their policy detail and more in the public debate they represent.
His appeal reflects a view held by some Nigerians that governments should be given sufficient time to implement long-term reforms.
That position is particularly relevant in a country where major economic problems often take years to address.
At the same time, patience does not remove the need for accountability.
Governments are expected to explain their policies, publish relevant information, respond to criticism and demonstrate measurable progress.
Citizens can support an administration while still demanding transparency and results.
The two positions are not necessarily contradictory.
What Nigerians Should Watch
As the debate over Tinubu’s administration continues, several issues will remain important for citizens.
These include the direction of the economy, the cost of living, employment, security, infrastructure and the effectiveness of public services.
The implementation of government reforms will also remain important in determining whether the administration’s long-term arguments are reflected in measurable improvements.
For supporters such as Anuku, time is necessary to allow those policies to mature.
For critics, the urgency of citizens’ daily economic challenges means government must demonstrate progress without asking Nigerians to wait indefinitely.
Both perspectives are likely to remain part of the political conversation ahead of 2027.
What Happens Next
There is no formal government action arising from Anuku’s comments.
His statement is an appeal to Nigerians and a public expression of support for President Tinubu.
The next major development will instead be the continued political debate over the administration’s record as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.
Tinubu’s government will be judged through its policies, implementation and outcomes, while opposition parties will present alternative programmes to voters.
Anuku’s intervention may contribute to that public debate, particularly among entertainment audiences and his supporters.
Conclusion
Veteran Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku has urged Nigerians to give President Bola Tinubu more time to address the country’s challenges, arguing that the problems confronting Nigeria did not begin with the current administration.
Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, Anuku defended the President, said Nigerians were too eager for immediate results and expressed support for Tinubu completing his constitutional tenure.
He also rejected suggestions that he was being paid to support the administration and argued that Nigerians could potentially face a worse alternative if the current government were replaced.
Anuku’s comments are his personal political assessment and do not independently establish the performance of the Tinubu administration.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, the more important test will remain the evidence: whether government policies deliver measurable improvements in the economy, security, public services and living conditions.
For voters, the debate over whether to give the government more time will ultimately be weighed against the administration’s record and the alternatives presented by competing political forces.
Weng Global — Stories beyond borders
Sources
- The Honest Bunch Podcast
- Vanguard
- Tribune Online
- Premium Times
- TheCable
- P.M. News
- TVC News
