Nollywood veteran Remilekun Oshodi, widely known as Remi Surutu, has revealed the depth of online cruelty she endured after publicly supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 elections.

Speaking at the launch of EKO57, a Lagos-based support group for Tinubu, Oshodi recounted how political trolls weaponised the most painful chapter of her life – the death of her first daughter, Ayomikun Elizabeth Oladayo, who died from complications of sickle cell disease in 2017.

According to her, critics accused her of inviting tragedy into her home because of her political stance. Some even alleged that the politician she campaigned for was responsible for her daughter’s death. Oshodi described the attacks as vicious but insisted they failed to shake her convictions.

She explained that despite the barrage of insults on the eve of the presidential election, she still went out the next day to cast her vote. For her, voting is a fundamental right that should not be surrendered to fear, intimidation or emotional blackmail.

Oshodi said her support for Tinubu was rooted in her long-standing relationship with him and her belief in his capacity to govern. She challenged critics to present an alternative from their own families who could withstand the pressures of leadership, arguing that many Nigerians underestimate the demands of public office.

The actress also used the platform to criticise what she described as “anti-party” behaviour among politicians who, in her view, chase financial gain rather than principle. She urged Nigerians to be clear about their values and long-term interests, insisting that governance requires sacrifice, vigilance and consistency.

Beyond politics, Oshodi reflected on her journey through grief, noting that faith and family have helped her cope with the loss of Ayomikun. She has previously spoken about the comfort she finds in her granddaughter, who she says bears a striking resemblance to her late daughter.

Despite the personal attacks, Oshodi remains a prominent and resilient figure in Nollywood, continuing to work while openly aligning herself with her preferred political candidate. She stressed that no amount of online bullying would force her into silence or make her renounce her beliefs.