Nollywood star Bob-Manuel Udokwu has addressed recent reports suggesting he disrespected veteran actor Pete Edochie by claiming the legendary performer was “parading himself” as the oldest actor in Nollywood.
In a recent interview with NollyNow, Udokwu dismissed the reports as false and misleading, insisting his words had been twisted out of context.
“The line that I said Pete Edochie is parading himself and deceiving others never came from me. That was a complete misrepresentation, that is a very wrong for me to do,” Udokwu clarified.
The actor explained that his statement was only meant to differentiate between Nollywood as an industry and earlier productions that predated its emergence. He noted that while Edochie famously starred in the classic Things Fall Apart, that work came before the Nollywood era officially began.
“What I stated was that if you’re talking about Nollywood as an industry, I started acting before him. But he had already done Things Fall Apart, which was not part of Nollywood. Even Kanayo O. Kanayo once made a similar point,” Udokwu said.
Udokwu, who currently serves as Special Adviser on Entertainment, Leisure and Tourism to Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, further emphasised that he holds Edochie in the highest regard.
“Pete Edochie is far older than me, and in our culture, we never disrespect our elders. I admire and respect him greatly and will never disrespect Pete Edochie,” he affirmed.
His clarification comes after social media reactions accused him of belittling one of Nollywood’s most revered figures. By restating his position, Udokwu sought to put the matter to rest, underlining that his respect for Edochie remains unwavering.
