Veteran Nollywood actor, and member of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Saidi Balogun says the ruling party will not abandon his ailing colleague, Zack Orji.
The Yoruba movie star stated that the APC-led Nigerian government was doing all it could to make sure that Orji, a supporter of the party, got back on his feet.
Saidi, who is also the assistant spokesperson of the Performing and Creative Art Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the revelation in an interview with Saturday Beats.
He said; “We are doing what we can. The authorities concerned were there and they did not abandon him, they rose up to the occasion. Before we can even stretch our hands, they (party) are stretching all their body to make sure he is okay.
“They will do the needful, because whatever we do, people are watching us. They are up to the task. If not, we would have heard a cry from the actor.”
Reacting to challenges that Orji and other entertainers face for supporting President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections, he revealed that producers no longer call them.
Balogun said; “We get a lot of backlash. As a matter of fact, some producers no longer call us for work, because they belong to the opposition. But, before I came into the ‘war’, I was prepared.
“I only pray that what they are blasting me for would be fruitful to me and the people too. We did it for a purpose. I saw that this person (Tinubu) could help move the country forward.”
Meanwhile, in related news…
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to rally behind ailing Nigerian actor, Zack Orji, and pray for his recovery as he had brain surgery on January 1, 2024.
Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa made the appeal after visiting the Nollywood veteran at a private hospital in Wuse, Abuja.
She said; “God will heal him and he will be well. We will do all we can to support him. We solicit the collective prayers of Nigerians because he is like a part of our families. We have watched him entertain us and we see him as a national treasure. So the best we can do is to ensure that we support him to have the best treatment.
“We will reach out to other well-meaning Nigerians to support Zack Orji through prayers and other means available to ensure that he survives this ailment.”
