Kunle Afolayan Apologizes for Blaming Igbos for Piracy in Nigeria

Acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has apologized for blaming Igbos for being majorly responsible for selling pirated CDs and DVDs.

The Nigerian twittersphere blasted him for the following remarks he made over the weekend:

You want to know. Ok. The Pirates already have October 1 and have been threatening the distributor that they will release this week.

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015

They have release phone swap, tango with me, 30 days and many more.Most of you patronizes these criminals and come here to judge me.

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015

The benefits. Something drastic has to be done. Period. Crucify yourself if you want.

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015

We have written to The Police,NCC and other agencies. Whats the outcome?Nothing. Sure you are waiting for me to come beg to feed my family.

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015

My distributor is Igbo,I like and trust him but he mentions his frustration all the time.His kings-men are on his tail.We are all frustrated

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015

Am really sorry if my Igbo fans and friends feel offended.I am just so bitter and pained. I am truly sorry.

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015

Pirated to the left, original to the right! Way forward? pic.twitter.com/TvR5BVy0ky

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015

Apologies ones again to my offended innocent Igbo brothers and sister, maybe it’s wrong timing and mind you o didn’t say all Igbo.

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015

Nollywood actress, Uche Jombo Rodriguez, also expressed her displeasure:

Interestin 2 see any1 in nollywood insult igbos abt piracy since without THEM we might nt even hv Nollywood of today#piracyIsNotATribalThing

— Uche Jombo Rodriguez (@uchejombo) April 6, 2015

Every film maker is sad abt piracy..its a war we should all fight and hope to win one day but I repeat #piracyIsNotATribalThing

— Uche Jombo Rodriguez (@uchejombo) April 6, 2015

Accept what you can’t change. Change what you can’t accept. #leaveTheTribalInsultsOutOfMyTL

— Uche Jombo Rodriguez (@uchejombo) April 6, 2015

Just 4 the record I am an active film maker in Nollywood of today n like every producer I face piracy everyday!We will overcome 1day#ipray

— Uche Jombo Rodriguez (@uchejombo) April 7, 2015

These days every tweet is political.. imagine tagging #piracyIsNotATribalThing tweets to the oba speech SMH really ? I’m OUT✋

— Uche Jombo Rodriguez (@uchejombo) April 7, 2015

After people on Twitter expressed outrage at his comments, he apologized:

I am a patriotic Nigerian and that I portray in all my movies. Phone swap is even more of Igbo film than any other tribe. Again. I am sorry

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015

Finally, I stand to say my grievances has got nothing to do with the trending Oba’s statement. It all came out of frustration. Sorry guys.

— Kunleafolayan (@kunleafolayan) April 6, 2015