Hilda Dokubo Demands Tinubu Act on Insecurity or Step Aside

LAGOS — Veteran Nollywood actress and activist Hilda Dokubo has delivered one of the most direct celebrity ultimatums yet to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the worsening insecurity in Nigeria. In a widely shared video, Dokubo demanded that Tinubu either act decisively on the security crisis or step aside for someone who can.

Dokubo, who is known for combining her entertainment career with robust advocacy on social issues, spoke with visible emotion in the video. She referenced the ongoing abduction of schoolchildren, the spread of terrorist activity from the northeast to the southwest, and what she described as a government that talks but does not act.

“Mr President, Nigerians are dying. Children are being taken from their classrooms. Teachers are being killed on their way to school. If you cannot fix this, say so. Nigeria will find someone who can,” Dokubo said in the video that has been widely shared across social media platforms.

Celebrity Advocacy Under Scrutiny

Dokubo’s call resonates in the context of the ongoing debate about whether Nigerian celebrities should speak out on political and security issues. Nasboi recently argued that celebrities should not be forced into political activism. Dokubo represents the opposite position, that those with public platforms have a responsibility to use them when the country is in crisis.

Her intervention comes alongside MFM church suspending night vigils, CAN declaring a state of emergency, and the NLC backing a teachers strike. The convergence of these voices from different sectors of Nigerian society creates a broad coalition of pressure on the government.

Tinubu’s communications team has not responded directly to Dokubo’s video. The Presidency said it is aware of public concern about insecurity and pointed to the emergency security council meeting convened this week as evidence of the government’s active engagement with the crisis.