Nollywood actor and filmmaker Ajemba Stanley, popularly known as Stanley Ontop, has publicly questioned the credibility of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) presidential election held last Saturday in Edo State.
The election saw actress Rita Daniels, mother of Regina Daniels, narrowly lose to AGN National Secretary Abubakar Yakubu, who now succeeds Emeka Rollas as the Guild’s president. Yakubu won 116 votes to Daniels’ 113, with three ballots declared void.
Ontop took to Instagram to express his disappointment, describing the election process as “questionable” and hinting at undue influence from a powerful figure in Abuja. He suggested that Daniels’ loss was unfair and that some delegates prioritized personal gain over the Guild’s integrity.
“It appears the process was unfair, particularly regarding Hon Rita Daniels’ candidacy. The alleged influence of a powerful individual in Abuja is concerning,” Ontop wrote. “Regina’s mum would have won Yakubu hands down, but powers in Abuja hijacked it. It’s well!! Shame on una.”
The actor acknowledged the legitimacy of other winners in the Guild’s elections but remained critical of the presidential race. His comments have sparked debate among industry insiders and fans, many of whom are questioning the transparency of the AGN electoral process.
This marks the first time a Northern actor, Yakubu, will lead the AGN since its establishment in the 1990s, a milestone that some view as historic despite the controversy surrounding the vote. Meanwhile, the Guild has yet to officially respond to allegations of election manipulation.
Industry observers note that disputes over internal elections are not uncommon in Nigerian professional associations, with calls for reforms to strengthen democratic procedures gaining momentum in recent years.
