The Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, has
pronounced Emeka Ike as its interim president, pending its elections.
The National Treasurer of
the AGN, St. Maradona J. Mikevine, made this pronouncement on Monday during a
chat with newsmen in Lagos, stating that the association adopted Ike to
temporarily serve for 2 years and thereafter, conduct a ‘unified election.’
The treasurer said in
order to set the records straight, he was pressured by self-uprightness to make
the proclamation.
It would be
recalled that on March 23, the National Secretary of AGN, Femi Durojaiye, in a
statement had said the former President, Ibinabo Fiberesima would step down as
the president and Emeka Ike, who has been battling over the position would take
over as the president.
However, Mikevine,
who was the first petitioner in the court case that eventually sacked the
Ibinabo-led administration, told journalists to put all behind and help forge a
common and progressive front for a better future.
He solicited the
cooperation of Nollywood, the actors’ fraternity, the Nigerian public and the
media saying,
“It has become
germane, expedient and imperative for me to call this Press Conference to clear
the air and set the record straight in respect of the above subject matter and
the leadership crisis rocking Actors Guild of Nigeria.
“Since the
judgement on March 16, 2015 that sacked Ibinabo Fiberesima as president of AGN
and also dissolved members of the BOT and the subsequent dismissal of the
appeal cum Stay-of-execution by the DEFENDANTS (Ibinabo and the former BOT) on
March 23, 2016, I have been inundated with calls from well-meaning Nigerians,
Nollywood stakeholders, politicians, Media Editors, security agencies to
clarify issues and point the way forward as to who I have endorsed to lead
ACTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA since the judgement directly mentions my name as the
PLAINTIFF.
“Because of the
Ibinabo-led faction, the dissolved BOT members and some stakeholders in
Nollywood are still finding it difficult to obey the judgement of a competent
court of Jurisdiction and accept the current reality that “POWER HAS CHANGED
HANDS” in AGN.
“To this end, our
victory at the court should NOT be interpreted or perceived as a victory for me
(ST. MARADONA J. MIKEVINE) BUT a victory for us “EMEKA IKE AND HIS EXECUTIVES”.
“Therefore, in
trying to point the way forward I propose that since the parties involved in
the leadership crisis; Segun Arinze and Ibinabo Fiberesima have both ruled AGN
for two (2 years) each, it will only be proper in the interest of peace,
justice, fairness and good conscience for Emeka Ike, his state and national
executives to be allowed to assume the leadership of Actors Guild of Nigeria
(AGN) for Two (2 years) LEGITIMATELY in compliance with the court judgement
after which a unified election can now be conducted.
“This is the best
way forward after years of injustice and unfairness perpetrated against EMEKA
IKE and his EXECUTIVES.
“The Court has
given its verdict; the industry should please allow us enjoy the fruit of our
victory at the court,” the National secretary stated.
