Nollywood Actors & Actresses Private Wars

You might not know it, but actor, Kanayo Onyekwere Kanayo and Ejike Asuegbu used to be very close friends. They were not just industry friends but childhood friends. In fact, both were the best man at each other’s weddings. But as we speak, the two do not see eye to eye. They have been caught up in the tussles of the industry, that their childhood friendship had to be severed.

Their feud stemmed from a power tussle for the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) presidency seat. 

This was before Segun Arinze took the reins of power. Ejike after completing his term as the president of the guild had refused to call for fresh elections and he continued to stay on as the president of the guild. This did not go down well with some other actors who decided to take action. Leading this group of rebelling actors is no other person than Ejike’s best friend, KOK.

Like a typical Nollywood storyline, the two best friends soon turned to sworn enemies. Both started making derogatory statements in the media about each other. The issue became so heated that the police had to intervene numerous times. KOK at a time was beaten mercilessly by thugs while Ejike was also invited to the police station numerous times. Kanayo was eventually made the head of a caretaker committee, and Ejike was booted out of office. Till date the two do not see eye to eye.

Ibinabo Fiberesima vs Clarion Chukwura

The two are both divas in their rights and are both strong influential ladies in the movie industry. Clarion Chukwura however is the older and more experienced of the pair. She had been acting even before the advent of Nollywood, and has received numerous accolades and awards for her works. Ibinabo on the other hand has acted in fewer movies, but has been influential enough to be elected the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

The two however do not see eye to eye, and like the KOK – Asuegbu rift, their feud stems from the guild politics. Chukwura continued to hammer at Ibinabo after the latter took some actors to visit president Goodluck Jonathan last year. She had said, “I am not on the same level with Ibinabo Fibresima professionally, educationally or in any other form. I find that she is deliberately misleading the public and wanting to push the issues at stake under the table with her so-called open letter. I will not allow her to do that.”

Ibinabo on her part did not take all the attacks lying down, she insinuates that Clarion had been jealous because she was not taken along to meet the president. “I understand the point you make about my not taking ‘veterans’ on the delegation. Oh, you wanted to be on the delegation, right? But how can you possibly be on the delegation when you have blatantly refused to identify with the guild,” Ibinabo replied.

Stella Damasus vs Doris Simon

Asides from guild politics, another reason for rancour amongst actors especially the female ones is husband/boyfriend snatching. There has been many cases of actresses resulting to physical confrontations with each other just because one snatched the others man.

The case of Stella Damasus and Doris Simeon is a good example. To actress Simeon, it all happened in a flash. Her husband of many years, Daniel Ademinokan just left home one day and moved in with another actress, Stella Damasus. Today, the two actresses do not see eye to eye. They both have been throwing subtle insults at each other. Till date Daniel remains to stay with Stella while Doris is left to take care of their children.

Anita Joseph vs Oyinye Obodoechina

Another man snatching case is that of Anita Joseph and Oyinye Obodoechina. The two actresses are popular in their rights but they can’t just take their hands off one man, or shall we say boy. The two were in a heated row over a 22 years old actor, Odinaka Onigwe.

According to the story, Odinaka was first the boyfriend of Oyinye and things were fine between them even though Oyinye was even thrown out of a set for flaunting her relationship with the young boy man.

Not long after, Anita was on set with both Oyinye and Odinaka on another production. One thing led to another and Anita started going out with Odinaka. When Oyinye got to know, it turned to a physical confrontation.

Though neither of them is dating Odinaka today, the two actors have been estranged. They do not even feature in the same movie anymore. Even producers now know what is going on and never casts both actress in same movie.

Dele Odule vs Victor Ashaolu

The two are veterans should be setting examples for the younger generation, but both never sheath their swords when it comes to the power tussle in Association Nigerian Theatre Practioners (ANTP). The two had been contesting the president seat but the elections had always ended in violence.

A court finally named Victor Ashaolu the president of the association. Instead of conceding defeat, Odule and some other top members of the association decided to leave ANTP to form their own body. They call it Theatre and Motion Pictures Practitioners of Nigeria (TAMPPAN). Till date, Dele Odule and Ashaolu continue to avoid each other, even at events. 

Zik Zulu vs Alex Eyengho

Another popular reason for feuds in Nollywood, is money. That is the case of Zik Zulu and Alex Eyengho. The two are presidents of top associations in the industry. Zik Zulu is the president of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), while Alex Eyengho is the president of Association of Nollywood Core Producers (ANCOP).

Though the two had always had rancour, the feud between the two became pronounced after Zik Zulu went to Akwa Ibom State to meet governor Godwill Akpabio. The governor had released the sum of N30m to Zik and the other actors that went there with him. Alex immediately raised the alarm when the said money was not shared “judiciously”.

According to Alex, the governor gave the money out to benefit Nollywood, but Zik and his friends had shared the money within themselves. Zik also fired back claiming that those that deserved to get a part of the money got their share, that Alex’s association is not recognised in the industry. Alex and Zik continue to criticize each other till date.

Omotola vs Genevieve

The two diva’s feud is not born out of hatred or dislike for each other but for who will occupy the number one spot. When you ask, who is the best actress in Nigeria, it always boils down to two names, Omotola and Genevieve. There is always the age old question, who is better?

The two have always been trying to out-do each other in many ways. Fashion wise, they always compete fiercely on the run way. When they are attending the same event, everyone is trying to compare what Genevieve is wearing to what Omotola is wearing. So there is a constant battle raging between the two.

Omotola seem to be getting ahead when she was named one of the most influential people in the world. This was after the success of her reality show, The real me. But Genevieve scored big as well. She landed a Multi million Naira deal with Amstel Malta. Not long after she landed another multi-million Naira deal with Etisalat.

The two continue to have a healthy competition between themselves and are always trying to outdo each other in every way.