Lasun Alagbe
Star actor, Yemi Solade, has said that it is not right for Nollywood to endorse any political candidate.
He noted this against the background of the decision of some fellow actors who recently declared for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate.
Among them are Adebayp Salami, Jide Kosoko and Ebun Oloyede.
Speaking on a TVC programme on Friday, Solade said he could not endorse any candidate.
While saying those who did had a choice, he said they did not do so on behalf of Nollywood or any professional association.
“Those whom we saw endorsing the candidate did so in their own volition,” he said. “They are not representing Nollywood. They didn’t do so under the umbrella of any association.”
Solade added that the Theatre and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) had not, and would not do so.
“I created TAMPAN, and I am their first president. TAMPAN will no endorse anyone, but individuals have the right to do so.”
10 Things About Veteran Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade (according to ameboonline.com)
1. He was born and brought up in Surelere, Lagos State.
2. He has three master’s degrees from three different universities; one in Public Administration (Abu, Zaria) while the other one in sociology and Anthropology Leicester university in the U.K and the last one in International Relations in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife.
3. He was a lecturer in different universities for four years.
4. He quit lecturing for acting after experiencing a riot that led to the burning down of his house.
5. His first role on stage was a passenger, driver, conductor, in an imaginary bus in a movie titled ‘ Crazy Youngie’.
6. He has married twice.
7. His first wife left him because her parents wanted her husband to be a Muslim like them.
8. He has two children from his present wife Hannah Marsh.
9. He met Hannah Marsh on a set of Wale Adenuga’s super story and she was the one that toasts him.
10. His net worth is 500,000 dollars.
