Mr. Ibu Fights Ibinabo Over Jonathan’s Money

Cyriacus Izuekwe

Crisis is brewing within the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN,  as comedian and actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, is up in arms against the guild’s President, Ibinabo Fiberesima.

This crisis followed their recent courtesy visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in Aso Rock, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Mr. Ibu claimed that Ibinabo, who led the Nollywood delegation to Aso Rock,  got millions of naira from the president, which she refused to disclose to members of the guild.

But Ibinabo has insisted that no money was donated by the president during the visit as claimed by Ibu.

The controversy has torn the guild apart, with members now divided into camps.

Mr. Ibu first raised the issue and reportedly queried what the executive of the guild did with the money promised by President Jonathan and other state governments.

This crisis is coming at a time the Ibinabo is preparing for re-election. Ibu said Ibinabo is not fit for the position and was trying to impose herself on the guild by seeking  re-election whereas she has not accounted for the association’s money.

In her reaction, Ibinabo said Mr Ibu was detached from the reality about their visit and explained that the President did not promise any money to anybody.

The ex-beauty queen said Okafor was not in a position to criticise her moves as he was not even a member of the guild.

Okafor had earlier accused the incumbent president of trying to force herself on the guild, saying most of the members of AGN were tired of her and do not want her for a second term.

Ibinabo challenged Mr. Ibu to name those opposed to her quest for a second term, insisting that they may not even be members of  the guild because “we have actors who are not members,” she added.

The camp in support of Ibu has insisted that there is no way the guild would visit the president and come back empty handed, while Ibinabo’s camp said no money was given and as such, their president was saying the truth.

Another camp that seems to be neutral said they do not know who to believe.