Popular Nollywood actor and filmmaker Ajemba Stanley, widely known as Stanley Ontop, has raised concerns over the recently concluded Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) presidential election.
Stanley claimed that the process was “hijacked” and lacked fairness, especially regarding the candidacy of actress Rita Daniels.
The national election took place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, during the Guild’s meeting in Edo State. It attracted delegates, observers, and key industry stakeholders. However, the outcome has continued to spark mixed reactions across Nollywood.
Read Also: AGN president Emeka Rollas breaks silence on Ned-Regina’s controversy
New Daily Prime earlier reported that Regina Daniels’ mother, Rita Daniels, contested for the position of AGN president but lost by a narrow margin to the Guild’s National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu.
Yakubu secured 116 votes, while Rita received 113. The election committee also announced that three ballots were void.
Shortly after the announcement, Ajemba Stanley took to his Instagram page to express his disappointment. In a strongly worded reaction, he questioned the integrity of the entire process. According to him, the outcome “is questionable,” and certain influences may have shaped the final result.
Stanley suggested that an unnamed “powerful individual in Abuja” interfered with the election. He claimed that this alleged interference undermined the democratic process and worked against Rita Daniels’ chances of emerging victorious.
His statement quickly spread across social media, drawing reactions from fans, actors, and industry insiders.
“It appears the process was unfair, particularly with regards to Hon Rita Daniels’ candidacy,” he wrote. “The alleged influence of a powerful individual in Abuja is concerning.” He added that he recognised the winners of other positions but insisted that the presidential result raised serious questions.
Stanley Ontop further expressed regret that some delegates may have placed personal benefits above the integrity of the Guild. He argued that Rita Daniels had strong support across different chapters and could have won “hands down” if the election had been free from external interference.
“Regina’s mum would have won Yakubu hands down, but powers in Abuja hijacked it. It’s well!! Shame on una,” he concluded, leaving his followers divided on the matter.
His comments reopened the debate about transparency in AGN elections. Some actors agreed with him, saying that Nollywood’s politics has long been influenced by powerful personalities. Others dismissed his claims, arguing that close contests are normal in democratic settings and that members should respect the outcome.
The AGN has not yet issued an official response to Stanley’s accusations. However, sources within the Guild said the election was conducted under strict supervision, with observers monitoring the voting and counting processes. They described the contest as one of the closest in the Guild’s recent history.
Rita Daniels has not publicly addressed Stanley’s claims. However, after the election, she congratulated Yakubu and thanked her supporters, calling on members to remain united. Her calm response contrasted with the heated conversations that followed online.
Abubakar Yakubu, the new AGN president, now faces the task of uniting the Guild and addressing the concerns raised by members.
His leadership will be closely watched in the coming months, especially as he takes over at a time when the industry is pushing for greater professionalism and better welfare for actors.
As the dust settles, Nollywood awaits official clarifications and hopes for a peaceful transition. For now, Stanley Ontop’s claims have added a new layer of drama to an already heated election, leaving many eager to see how the Guild will respond and what steps it will take next.
