Powerful Niger Delta Militant Tom Ateke Reconciles Ibinabo Fiberesima, Emeka Rollas

An aggrieved contender of Ibinabo Fiberesima’s position as president of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, appears to have accepted the olive branch two years after.

Reports said Rollas met the popular actress during the recently held 52nd birthday celebration of former Niger-Delta militant, Ateke Tom, where they were talked into burying the hatchet.

Ateke, a known benefactor to most Nollywood actors, commands great respect among the filmmakers, a reason most of them were in Okrika, Rivers State, to celebrate with him in a ceremony that lasted three days.

The Nation Reports that Fiberesima and Rollars were said to have hugged passionately and were applauded by many.

“This is the way we should live. We should all live together as one family. Emeka should support Ibinabo’s ambition and Ibinabo should lend listening ears. I don’t hate people. I try to settle all quarrels and let peace reign because that is what we all need and should work towards in Nigeria,” said Ateke.

Ibinabo was announced winner of the election by veteran actress and secretary of AGN Electoral Committee (AGNEC), Rachael Oniga, on Friday, September 28, 2012. Thus, the former beauty queen became the seventh and first female president of AGN. The post was equally contested by Rollas and Steve Eboh.

However, Ayo Emmanuel, the AGNEC chairman, announced Emeka Rollas as the winner, three hours after Ibinabo had been announced.

Emmanuel, who blamed the conflicting reports on communication, said results from two states, Niger and Ondo, were cancelled due to a petition, thereby swelling Rollas’ votes. He said he could not get across to Lagos before Ibinabo was declared winner.

Interestingly, Ibinabo has, in the last two years, been instrumental to some largesse flowing the ways of the actors from President Goodluck Jonathan, a situation which has endeared her to most members of the guild.  The most recent was the lifeline of N10 million, given to ailing screenwriter, Chike Bryan, for a kidney transplant in India.