Odunlade Adekola Is Not A Threat

He says Odunlade is his very good friend and no competition exists between them

Femi Adebayo speaks to NET TV about his two-decade-long movie career, his most recent marriage to his wife, his transition into politics as well as his rumoured rivalry with his fellow actor, Odunlade Adekola in this exclusive interview with NET’s Joan Omionawele.

Excerpts.

My decision to go back to law was borne out of the fact that I love law and within me, I felt that acting had taken away a lot of time that I should have given to law and that was why I decided to go for my PHD in law. I know that it is not possible to study law in its totality, but I still do soliciting and buying and selling of properties.

Why did you decide to go into Politics?
My being a politician is divine. I was called upon to come and serve my state. I think they felt I could serve the state by influencing and ensuring that the youths get value for our culture, that was why the governor of Kwara State, felt I could share my knowledge through my experience in Nollywood over the years.

But most Nollywood actors don’t make any impact when they get into politics…

I don’t know about any Nollywood actor that has campaigned vigorously and not delivered. The only person that I know campaigned vigorously was Honourable Desmond Elliot and I don’t think he has done badly. We all see Nollywood as our source and my view is that we should not leave it at anytime, we must look at ways to make it a bigger and better industry.

Let’s talk about the rivalry between you and Odunlade Adekola.
There is no competition between myself and Odunlade Adekola, we are very good friends. Odun is a fantastic actor and Femi Adebayo is also a fantastic actor, he’s got his fans, I have got my fans, I am sure we all interprete our roles perfectly, that is why I wonder when people ask if there is a competition between the both of us. I insist there is no competition. You cannot have just one actor in the entire industry, just as you cannot have only one doctor in the industry. I sincerely do not see him as a competition; he is not a threat to me, absolutely not.

You also had a secret wedding last year.. was this deliberate?
(Laughs) It cannot be described as a secret wedding because I hired an MC, rented a hall and invited people.