LAGOS — Fresh details have emerged on the real trigger behind the renewed cold war between Nollywood heavyweights Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, with industry sources pointing to a damaging allegation of cinema sabotage.
The tension, which played out publicly at the premiere of a film hosted by Iyabo Ojo, is said to have been brewing for months over claims that Akindele allegedly paid over ₦500,000 to certain cinemas to suppress the screening and performance of Abraham’s movie last year.
A senior Yoruba film producer, who spoke to Per Second News on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the allegation, reportedly circulated within industry circles, deeply infuriated Akindele.
According to the source, the claim was traced to comments allegedly made by Abraham in private conversations with colleagues, a development Akindele considered both damaging and a breach of professional trust.
“That was the breaking point,” the source said. “She felt it was unfair and malicious, especially coming from someone who still relates warmly with her in public.”
The insider further revealed that beyond the alleged sabotage claim, there have been lingering grievances over perceived back-channel remarks and silent competition between the two actresses, both of whom command significant box office influence.
The simmering tension came to the fore at the Lagos premiere, where a brief but telling moment between both stars signalled a complete breakdown in relations.
Neither Akindele nor Abraham has publicly addressed the allegations.
However, the development has stirred conversations within Nollywood, raising concerns over rivalry, reputation management and the high stakes nature of Nigeria’s fast growing cinema industry.
For now, what appears on the surface as a simple snub may, in fact, be the fallout of a much deeper industry dispute now firmly in the public eye.
It must, however, be stated that no evidence has been presented to support the claim that Akindele paid any cinema to suppress Abraham’s movie.
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