The Prolonged leadership tussle between Emeka Ike and Ibinabo Fiveresima over the running of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) may have been resolved following a reconciliatory parley arranged by yet-to-be identified stakeholders in the sector. Yesterday, the duo jointly addressed the media in Lagos after the reconciliation and vowed to work together for the upliftment of the association.
They admitted that the leadership crisis had impacted negatively on the operation of the group and stressed that peace has returned to the industry.
According to Emeka Ike “the division was not about her, Ibinabo but about the BOT of the Guild whose tenure has longed expired and has refused to allow fresh ideas and innovations and I said NO, because Nollywood is a global phenomenon and the idea of life BOT will not just work. As you know this agitation has cost me a lot but today because of the youths I have embraced peace so we can build the future generation together. This RECONCILIATION is for the young Actors in Nollywood."
Responding, Ibinabo said the next step for both groups was to call a joint congress for the conduct of a free and fair election for the people to elect their new leadership. She added that; “Today is one of the happiest days of my life because we can now say PEACE AT LAST in AGN. Our members should be allowed to choose their leaders in a peaceful manner and by tricks and ambushing. This division has not helped us in any way. I thank Emeka Ike who has made this day possible."
Meanwhile, Emeka Ike has dismissed the recent peace and reconciliatory conference held in Enugu, culminating in the constitution of a Government of National Unity for the AGN. He said the meeting had no representatives from both sides and was irrelevant.
“What happened in Enugu was a group of desperate individuals who tried to ambush the peace process. The same BOT who thinks they can run the biggest Guild in Nollywood like a motor park Association. The question you should ask them is; was Ibinabo in Enugu? If she was not there how many of her state chairmen were there and how many of my state Chairmen were there? Who was the AGNEC chairman? How much was the presidential form? Can we see the ballot papers? Can you shave a man’s hair in his absence?"
