The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has plunged into deeper turmoil as its National President, Chief Emeka Rollas, finds himself at the center of a leadership controversy in the guild’s Abia State chapter.
Rollas, along with actor Emmanuel Ehumadu, famously known as Labista, was arrested and detained by the police in Umuahia late yesterday , following allegations of disrupting the guild’s democratic processes.
At the heart of the dispute is the election of David Onyebuchi Amalaha as Chairman of the AGN Abia State chapter on May 20, 2023. While Amalaha was elected by guild members, the AGN national leadership reportedly disregarded the results, appointing interim chairmen instead. This move sparked widespread criticism from prominent guild members, including Chika Okezie, Egwuatu Daniel, and Nathaniel Nwoko, who accused Chief Rollas of undermining the unity and democratic will of the guild’s members.
The conflict escalated on Thursday when Chief Rollas organized a meeting in Umuahia without consulting key stakeholders, including Amalaha. The perceived exclusion enraged members, leading to protests and disruptions at the venue. Police intervention was necessary to restore order, but tensions only deepened when it was revealed that a prior petition had been filed against Rollas at the Zone 9 Police Headquarters.
Critics argue that the leadership crisis, marked by multiple interim appointments since 2023, reflects a broader struggle for control and governance within the AGN. Amalaha, who has resorted to legal action to challenge the national body’s interference, has been vocal in his fight to uphold the legitimacy of his election.
Chief Rollas’ supporters, however, maintain that his actions are aimed at fostering stability in the guild amid internal disputes. Nevertheless, the situation has sparked a debate over leadership ethics, transparency, and democratic integrity within one of Nigeria’s leading creative unions.
