“Many are mad and many are roaming on social media.”
Punch
Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, caused a stir on the Internet when she openly declared her support for the All Progressives Congress and its candidates in the 2023 elections.
The actress had on Wednesday shared pictures of herself with the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announcing her membership as part of the APC women presidential campaign team.
Her husband, Odi Okojie, is also an APC candidate for the Esan North East/ South East federal constituency in Edo State.
Sharing the photos from the campaign, the actress wrote, “Earlier today, I joined His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the incredible women leaders that make up the APC ‘Women Presidential Campaign Team’ at the APC women Southwest Rally.
“As a woman, wife to an APC candidate @princeodiokojie and mother, I am confident in the APC plan for women which is in line with the 35% affirmative action for women.
“From the goodwill messages and conversations with the women leaders, I was opportuned to hear from the horse’s mouth and I have renewed hope and confidence in the good intentions, great plans and actions to follow for the women of Nigeria and for the people of Nigeria.”
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Her post, however, did not go down well with many fans who took to Twitter to condemn the actress’ decision, making ‘Mercy Johnson’ one of the trending topics on Thursday.
A tweep, @odyloveth, said, “End Sars – Mercy Johnson will not talk. Flood in her state that half of her community people were dying, she was mute. Police brutality, she will not talk.
“Today Mercy Johnson is telling us that APC have plans for us in 2023. I blame those rating these celebrities.”
Advising the actress to focus only on her husband, @eseohe_k tweeted, “No one is saying Mercy Johnson shouldn’t support her husband’s political career. She should not just try to sell APC to us. Campaign for your husband alone. Talking about ‘as a woman, I’m confident in the APC plan for women’.”
However, some fans stated that the actress was free to support whoever she wanted to, as they justified her actions.
@isaacafrica_ said, “While I’m for Peter Obi, I wouldn’t expect Mercy Johnson to support a party other than her husband’s. It’s one of the reasons her marriage works.
“This isn’t about party affiliation. It’s about who’s working in the best interest of Nigerians. Why can’t she be light within APC?”
Another tweep, @mrlurvy, said, “Mercy Johnson’s husband is flying the flag of the APC in his constituency. But you expect Mercy to support another party right? So that she can get retweets and likes?
“Many are mad and many are roaming on social media.”
Punch
Some ladies in movie industry ready to sleep their way to fame — Jide Kosoko
Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has weighed in on the controversial issue of sex-for-roles in the Nigerian film industry, stating that some actresses deliberately enter the industry with the intent of using sexual relationships to advance their careers.
Jide Kosoko shared his views during a recent appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, where he challenged the popular notion that directors and producers always impose such conditions on actresses.
He emphasised that no one can be coerced into engaging in sexual exchanges for roles.
“If I said I need you to warm my bed so that I can give you a role, and you said no, they cannot force you to do it. And if you want that role by all means, that means you want to dance to his tone,” he explained.
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The veteran actor clarified that while making such demands is inappropriate, the decision ultimately rests with the individuals involved.
“I’m not saying it’s right to have introduced that to you, but if you fall for it, that’s your own business. How does that concern the whole world? All this sex-for-roles thing, forget about it,” Kosoko stated.
He went on to assert that some women intentionally exploit such situations to gain recognition in Nollywood.
“I know some ladies that equally come into the industry with the determination that, by the time ‘I sleep with this and sleep with that, I will get my name. I know of some popular actresses. I know of even a Magistrate,” he revealed.
Asake reconciles with ailing father, moves him to specialist hospital
Afrobeats sensation Asake has admitted his father, Fatai Odunsi, to a specialist hospital in Ikoyi, where Chinese medical experts are providing treatment, a reliable source has confirmed.
A neighbour of Odunsi confirmed the development.
Speaking in the local Isale Eko dialect, she initially requested more time, saying, “Call me again around 6:30 pm. By then, I should have gone to their house, so I would be able to give you more information on what you asked.” Later, around 7 pm, she confirmed, “I have confirmed from his (Odunsi’s) wife that he has been admitted to a specialist hospital in Ikoyi where Chinese experts are currently attending to him.”
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A source within Asake’s management, speaking anonymously, described the situation as an oversight. According to the insider, Asake has started fulfilling his financial obligations toward both his father and his daughter, Zeenat. However, the source could not confirm whether the artist plans to rekindle his relationship with Zeenat’s mother or provide financial support for her.
“The entire thing was an oversight, but all has been sorted. He has reunited with his family and promised to give them whatever they would need to keep him going. To the best of my knowledge, he has begun fulfilling the promises he made and that is why there is now calm. I have no knowledge of what has or will happen to the baby mama; what I know is what I have told you,” the source revealed.
In a viral video, Odunsi shared an update on their reconciliation, stating that Asake had pledged to buy him a new house and cover his medical bills. He confirmed that real estate agents were actively searching for a suitable property. Additionally, he noted that Asake had agreed to take full responsibility for his 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat. However, he did not address whether the artist would rekindle his relationship with Zeenat’s mother or provide her with financial assistance.
(PUNCH)
Actress Jayesimi blames mother for childlessness at 60
Renowned Yoruba Nollywood actress, Dupe Jayesimi, has shared the painful journey of her childlessness at over 60, revealing years of heartbreak, betrayal, and unfulfilled dreams of motherhood.
In an emotional conversation on Abiola Adebayo’s Talk-to-B podcast, Jayesimi recalled how she battled multiple miscarriages, a turbulent marriage, and society’s harsh judgment, all while carrying the weight of longing for a child.
Jayesimi, who tied the knot on October 22, 1988, said her struggle with infertility began shortly after her wedding.
Though she conceived before the marriage, she suffered a miscarriage soon after, marking the start of an agonising journey.
“We had too many tests, with several attempts to conceive,” she recalled. “My husband and I had misunderstandings, and five years into the marriage, he stopped checking on me for months. He began using a pillow to demarcate the bed, slowly pushing me out of the marriage.”
The veteran actress revealed that her husband ultimately forced her out, and just two weeks after she left, another woman—already pregnant—moved into their home.
“I resorted to taking alcohol and sobbing for years,” she confessed. “I had to move on when the pain became unbearable.”
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Following the failed marriage, Jayesimi attempted to find love again, hoping it would lead to motherhood.
She met an Alhaji who was eager to help her conceive, but even after two rounds of IVF, she was left with nothing but disappointment.
“One day, I conceived without even knowing,” she recounted. “I was 40 years old at the time. But when I went to the hospital, the doctor told me it was an ectopic pregnancy. I cried my heart out.”
After the painful loss, she eventually left the relationship when the man’s wife started waging war against her.
In her desperation, Jayesimi once considered adoption, but her mother vehemently opposed the idea.
“If you adopt any kid, I will feed them to death,” she recalled her mother’s chilling words. “It was then I knew I was in for a long ride.”
Now, looking back with regret, the actress blames her mother for robbing her of the chance to be a mother.
“If I had not listened to my mum, I would have adopted a long time ago,” she lamented. “I am not fighting her, but I want her to stay clear of me because she’s the cause of my childlessness.”
Despite the pain, Jayesimi remains resilient. She shared how she has been mocked—even by the children she helped raise.
“This acting job is just a blessing in disguise,” she admitted. “It has helped me sustain the watered ground of mockery.”
At 60, the actress now seeks one final chance at motherhood—not through marriage, not through failed treatments, but through adoption.
“What I want to do now is get a child who will be my company,” she declared.
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