Nollywood actress and filmmaker Wumi Toriola has gone public with a sharp response to Desola Afod, accusing her of insulting the theatre industry she works in and earns from.
In an Instagram reel posted in direct reply to an earlier video from Desola, Toriola said the phrase “awon oni theatre yen” (those theatre people) was painful and disrespectful.
“This video is directed to Desola Afod. You did a prior video and this is a response to it. You saying ‘awon oni theatre’ is something I find very insulting and painful,” she stated.
She challenged Desola to name individuals if she had problems with them instead of generalising.
“If you have any issue with anybody, kindly put their names in your caption or mention it in your video. Saying ‘awon oni theatre yen’ which is a body that covers what I’ve worked for and earn from. I will not allow you just use your mouth to disrespect it. If other people are calling us names, it shouldn’t include you.”
Toriola also referenced a past incident in which she said Desola inserted herself into a disagreement with one of her colleagues.
“I remember when I had an issue with one of my colleagues and you inserted yourself into it. I kept quiet because I didn’t want to disrespect your ex husband that time. This one you’re doing now is getting too much.”
She went further, suggesting Desola drop the Afod name if it was becoming a problem.
“If you think the ‘Afod’ name you bear is giving you problems, you can bear your father’s name or anything. ‘Desola Kilanko,’ just bear something. It’s getting unbearable. Why? You’re always coming up with something. You’re not the only razz person. Try harder to handle your new found fame.”
Desola Afod, wife of veteran actor Kunle Afod, had shared a video days earlier warning actors and actresses in the Yoruba movie industry against what she described as disrespect. She said colleagues were taking her for granted by addressing her by her first name alone, noted that she is 44, and captioned the post with a line about zero tolerance for disrespect. The video drew responses from other industry figures, including actress Bimbo Success, who told Desola that practitioners had stayed quiet out of respect for Kunle Afod.
Read “If You Come for Me, I’ll Come for You!” — Bimbo Success Blasts Desola Afod
Kunle and Desola married in 2005 after meeting in 2002. Their marriage has seen public ups and downs over the years, including a separation announcement by Desola in 2022 that was later followed by reconciliations and more speculation. Toriola, known for both acting and producing Yoruba films, has positioned her response as a defence of the work and the people in the industry rather than a personal fight.