Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has announced her decision to withdraw from efforts to reconcile her colleagues, Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, following renewed tensions between the two stars.
In a statement shared on her Instagram page on Tuesday, Ojo addressed criticisms over her involvement in the long-standing dispute and explained the steps she had previously taken to restore peace between both parties.
“For those criticising and insulting me, I need to set the record straight. This is the first and last time I will speak on this matter,” she said.
Ojo revealed that her relationship with Akindele spans several years, though it has not been without challenges. She admitted that she once publicly criticised Akindele over issues linked to Abraham’s film, describing her action as inappropriate.
“I came online at some point to call out Funke because of Toyin’s movie. That was wrong, and I should have handled it differently,” she said.
According to Ojo, she later reconciled with Akindele and made deliberate efforts to mend the relationship between both actresses. She said her intervention initially yielded positive results, with both parties agreeing to settle disputes privately.
“I did everything I could to bring them together. I cried, pleaded, and even knelt to beg them to embrace peace, and they eventually agreed,” she stated. “There was an understanding that any issue would be resolved behind closed doors, without public drama.”
However, Ojo noted that the agreement later collapsed after fresh controversies emerged in December regarding a cinema release, which reignited tensions and speculation among fans.
She also addressed Abraham’s absence from her upcoming film project, The Return of Arinzo, explaining that the actress had initially been part of the production but withdrew due to exhaustion and travel commitments.
“Toyin was supposed to feature in the project but had to pull out at the last minute. It affected production, but she apologised and we moved on,” Ojo explained.
Despite her earlier efforts, Ojo said she has now chosen to step aside and allow both actresses to resolve their differences independently.
“I am saddened by everything, but I have tried my best. At this point, I can’t continue to beg anyone,” she said. “I don’t want to be involved anymore. When they are ready, they will make peace.”
The renewed attention on the rift follows a viral video from a recent film premiere in Lagos, where both Akindele and Abraham were present but appeared to avoid interaction, further fueling public speculation about unresolved issues between them.
