Nollywood superstar and filmmaker Funke Akindele has firmly debunked circulating rumours that she snubbed Fuji music legend Wasiu Alabi Pasuma popularly known as Pasuma at a recent public gathering.
The controversy erupted after a short video clip went viral on X (formerly Twitter), showing Akindele exchanging pleasantries with actress Fathia Balogun while Pasuma sat nearby. Some netizens interpreted the moment as a deliberate snub, with one user @UOladiti posting: “Moment Funke Akindele snubbed Pasuma in public. This is not looking good at all.”
In a swift and direct response on her verified X account, Akindele dismissed the claims as misleading and driven by negativity. She wrote: “Snub? Hell no. Stop the negativity pls. I saw him, greeted him, danced with him. Pasuma is my Egbon. Pls you all should stop this evil.”
The actress emphasised her respect for the veteran musician, referring to him affectionately as her “Egbon” (elder brother/senior) in Yoruba culture.
This is not the first time a brief moment at a celebrity event has been misconstrued online, but Akindele’s no-nonsense reply has quickly gained traction, and calling for an end to unnecessary negativity in the entertainment industry.
Akindele remains one of Nigeria’s most influential actresses and producers, known for blockbuster films like the Omo Ghetto series and her record-breaking box office hits. Pasuma, a Fuji music icon with decades in the industry, is widely respected as a senior colleague.