Actor, Emeka Ike has been announced the interim president of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), pending its elections in 2018.
The announcement was made on Monday, April 4, 2016, by the National Treasurer of AGN, St. Maradona J. Mikevine.
According to Mikevine, Emeka Ike, his state and national executives will assume leadership of the guild for two years in compliance with the court judgement, after which a unified election can be conducted.
“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,” he said.
“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 plantiff.
“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.
On March 23, 2016, the National Secretary of AGN, Femi Durojaiye, stated that the former President, Ibinabo Fiberesima, would step down for Emeka Ike.
The ‘change in power’ comes after a Lagos High Court sentenced Fiberesima to five years in prison for reckless driving that let to the death of Dr. Giwa Suraj.
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