Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham, is under fire on social media platforms after she reported trolls who cursed her for supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election to the police for cyberbullying.
Abraham, during the 2022 election campaign period, had declared her support for Tinubu while assuring her fans that the President had reeled out his ‘Renewed Hope’ action plans that would address some of the nation’s problems and she was convinced that he would perform.
Aside from the popular Nollywood actress, other Yoruba movie stars also declared their support for Tinubu and campaigned vigorously for him.
However, since his emergence on May 29, 2023, the country’s economy has nosedived.
On the inauguration day, Tinubu declared that his administration would no longer subsidise fuel.
His decision has made the price of the Premium Motor Spirit rise from N185 to over N700.
Also, as part of his government’s reforms in the financial sector, the naira has embarked on a continuous free fall against the dollar after the Central Bank of Nigeria floated the currency to move towards market-determined interest rates.
This action has led to the instability of the naira to the dollar in the FX market, making it sell for between N1,200 and N1,500.
Both decisions — naira floating and subsidy removal — which are some of the factors that determine economic growth, have sent more Nigerians below the poverty level.
Meanwhile, netizens have singled out Abraham because she had always defended her political choice, with many expecting that she would one day tell the public how Tinubu intended to address the various problems confronting Nigeria as a country.
In one of her replies to an X user identified as #Lati, she noted that she had moved on to pursue her career as an actress and was not in government or politics.
She also regretted having chosen to remain open to politics during the elections.
“I have faced my life and my career because I am not a politician and I am not in government. I have learned my lesson never ever to be open with my political choice again,” the actress wrote on X.
Despite her explanations, netizens have not stopped calling her out as the country’s woes deepen.
A user on X, who identified as #YVRLO, directed harsh comments towards Abraham and her family, including wishing harm to her son.
This led Abraham to take legal action. “It is not an abuse of power; it’s a fight against cyberbullying,” Abraham’s spokesman said. “Everyone must understand that actions have consequences, especially online.”
Recently, another X user, who identified as #Ayo, accused Abraham of using Tinubu’s money to do a hair transplant for her husband.
He wrote, “Mrs @Toyin_Abraham walai aiye e ti ta!! (sic) You collect Tinubu money use fo hair transplant for your husband…stoopid fool.”
Abraham, however, reported him to the police for cyberbullying, and he was arrested.
Following that, a user, Ajebo Danny, opined, “Hello @Toyin_Abraham, you will have to send the police to pick all of us. You are shameless.”
The actress replied, “You can abuse me and call me names; it is fine, and as I said, I will accept and take it in cos I’m in the public eyes, but cursing my kids and lying is what I won’t accept, and lastly I NEVER and will NEVER arrest anyone’s mum. I made a report on cybercrime as a citizen.
“I made my report at cybercrime cos the threat to life and curse and threat on my family were beyond what I can take. As for me, abuse me, insult me please, say anything to me please,” she added.
Danny further called the attention of the public to report Abraham’s new movies on Netflix if she refuses to release the arrested troll, noting, “If Ayo is not released today, we will start mass reporting Toyin’s Instagram page and then move to sending mails to Netflix
“These are the official Netflix emails: Netflix Nigeria: nigeria.support@netflix.com
“nigeria@netflix.com. Netflix Global: help@netflix.com.”
One Bayo Otedola said, “Dear @elonmusk, I hope you can see what @toyin_abraham1 has done to people using your platform for free speech. I hope you’re aware that she uses the Nigerian Police force to arrest innocent citizens. Or is free speech not a thing anymore? #FreeAyo.”
(Punch)