Media Team
Nollywood icon Bob-Manuel Udokwu has dismissed reports claiming he criticized fellow actor Pete Edochie for allegedly portraying himself as Nollywood’s eldest statesman.
The actor maintained his remarks during a recent podcast were taken out of context.
Speaking to NollyNow, Udokwu explained that while he indeed began his Nollywood journey ahead of Edochie, he never suggested his colleague was “misrepresenting facts” about being the industry’s oldest practitioner.
The Anambra State entertainment adviser clarified he was specifically discussing contemporary Nollywood productions, separate from Edochie’s earlier roles in classics like “Things Fall Apart.”
Udokwu, who serves as Special Adviser to Governor Charles Soludo, stressed the cultural significance of honoring elders while expressing deep respect for Edochie, acknowledging their age difference.
He elaborated, “During a podcast interview, I responded to a question by mentioning I joined Nollywood prior to Pete Edochie. However, the fabricated quote about ‘parading and deceiving’ absolutely didn’t come from me—it’s a complete misrepresentation.
“Such distortion is completely unacceptable. My actual statement simply referenced my earlier Nollywood debut compared to Edochie’s, though he obviously acted in ‘Things Fall Apart’ before Nollywood’s emergence. Kanayo O. Kanayo made similar observations years ago.
“While I appeared in ‘Checkmate’ and ‘When the Sun Sets’, I don’t classify them as Nollywood productions. Pete Edochie remains my senior in both age and experience—African tradition forbids disrespecting elders, and I hold Edochie in highest esteem.”
