Nollywood actor Kunle Afod has thrown his weight behind colleague Abimbola Kazeem, popularly known as Jigan Babaoja, following a wave of backlash that has rocked the latter’s career in recent days.
Jigan has been in the eye of the storm after he was linked to a controversial WhatsApp group allegedly associated with discussions about the late singer Mohbad. The revelation sparked widespread outrage online, leading to serious consequences, including his TikTok account being banned and the termination of his recent brand deal.
The actor, who signed a brand ambassadorship deal with Rods Hotels and Apartments barely a month ago, was swiftly dropped by the company. In an official statement posted on social media, the hotel management explained their decision, citing their commitment to “guest safety” and “accountability” as the main reasons for cutting ties with the actor.
Reacting to the situation, Kunle Afod took to Instagram to show public support for Jigan, posting a photo of the embattled actor along with a message of encouragement. Afod wrote:
“Abimbola, a brother and a friend. Every stage in life we learn one thing or the other. I’m sure you are really learning through this process. Stand up. Stand strong. @jiganbabaoja. We love you.”
Jigan has since gone live on TikTok to publicly plead for forgiveness, saying he regrets his involvement in the group and insists only the late Mohbad can truly vindicate him.
“Only Mohbad can defend me,” he said emotionally during the live session.
In a follow-up post on Instagram, the actor revealed that his personal phone number had been leaked online, exposing him to a barrage of threatening messages and phone calls. Jigan expressed concern for his safety and called on law enforcement agencies to step in.
“This is exactly what was done to Mohbad… I will not take it lightly with anyone involved. I will ensure that justice is served. I will not be bullied,” he warned, tagging the Nigeria Police Force in his appeal.
As the controversy continues to unfold, public opinion remains sharply divided. While some netizens believe Jigan’s involvement in the group was damning, other like Kunle Afod are urging for calm, understanding, and due process.