Drama at the Premiere: Eniola Badmus and Laide Bakare Clash Publicly at ‘Owanbe Thieves’ Event
In what has quickly become a trending moment across social media, Nollywood stars Eniola Badmus and Laide Bakare clashed publicly at the premiere of Owanbe Thieves, a new film by Eniola Ajao. What was meant to be a celebration of cinema and culture turned unexpectedly chaotic when a confrontation broke out between the two actresses on the dance floor.
According to eyewitnesses and viral videos, the altercation began when Laide Bakare attempted to record a video of herself dancing with Eniola Badmus. However, Badmus swiftly rejected the gesture, saying, “Must I be in your video? Don’t film us together, we are not friends.”
This sparked an intense reaction from Bakare, who shoved Badmus slightly and fired back in Yoruba, “Are you mad? What type of embarrassment is this? Are you insane?”
💬 Opinion: When Celebrities Let Ego Take the Stage
This public fallout between two respected figures in Nollywood leaves fans both surprised and disappointed. While misunderstandings and personal grievances are inevitable in any industry, resolving them at a public event — especially in front of cameras — turns personal drama into public spectacle.
As a public figure and Special Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Social Events and Public Hearing, Eniola Badmus carries an added layer of diplomatic responsibility. Whether personal feelings are involved or not, a certain level of grace is expected, especially in high-profile settings. Her blunt rejection, while perhaps honest, could have been handled more discreetly.
On the flip side, Laide Bakare’s aggressive response escalated the situation, turning what could have been a momentary awkward exchange into a viral feud. When emotions run high, silence can sometimes be more powerful than reaction — especially under the watchful eyes of the public.
🎭 More Than Just Entertainment?
Unfortunately, this spat overshadows what should’ve been a celebratory night for Owanbe Thieves — a film that itself highlights themes of glitz, glam, and moral lessons. But now, the headlines are focused less on the art, and more on the artists' inability to leave personal drama at the door.
If anything, this serves as a reminder that celebrity status comes with influence, and how you carry yourself in public matters — even more than your talent.
📌 A Call for Maturity
Nollywood is a growing force globally, and with that comes a higher level of scrutiny. For the sake of the industry’s reputation — and the legacy of these actresses — a resolution behind closed doors is needed. Public quarrels may generate clicks, but they don’t build respect.
Let the drama stay on-screen where it belongs.
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