Drama Unfolds as Laide Bakare and Eniola Badmus Clash at ‘Owanbe Thieves’ Premiere

The glitz and glamour of Nollywood took a dramatic turn on Sunday, April 13, 2025, as two of Yoruba cinema’s biggest stars, Laide Bakare and Eniola Badmus, clashed at the high-profile movie premiere of Owanbe Thieves, held at Filmhouse Circle Mall, Jakande, Lagos. What should have been an evening of celebration and entertainment quickly became a hotbed of tension and public spectacle as the actresses nearly came to physical blows on the red carpet.

The feud between the two movie stars, which had simmered beneath the surface for years, erupted into full-blown chaos, shocking fans and fellow celebrities alike. The confrontation, caught on video and widely shared on social media, showed Eniola Badmus visibly agitated upon noticing Laide Bakare’s presence on the dance floor. Badmus quickly stepped away, seemingly to avoid an altercation, but Bakare followed her, confronting her aggressively. Security personnel intervened just in time, preventing a physical assault.

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A Fallout Years in the Making

While the explosive encounter at the premiere took many by surprise, those familiar with the actresses’ strained history saw it as the climax of long-standing animosity. The root of their conflict appears to stem from past personal grievances and unhealed emotional wounds.

In the aftermath of the premiere, Laide Bakare took to her Instagram page on Monday, April 14, 2025, to further air her grievances. In a scathing post, she shared screenshots of a direct message (DM) allegedly sent by Eniola Badmus. In the message, Eniola chastised Laide for posting a photo of them online, accusing her of “terrible animalistic behaviour” and demanding that she stay far away.

But Laide didn’t hold back either. In her caption, she launched a barrage of accusations against Eniola, recalling their earlier years in the industry and claiming she had been instrumental in Eniola’s career success.

“I gave you the first major role in your life when no one wanted to associate with you because of your ugly looks and obesity,” Laide wrote. “Spent my own hard-earned money on an ingrate like you, and all you could pay me back with is to call me an animal? Haaaa! Eniola, Almighty God will judge you, insha Allah. You have started what you can’t finish, and I promise you, you must collect.”

Her words quickly sent shockwaves through Nollywood and beyond, reigniting conversations around body shaming, loyalty, and the complexities of friendships in the entertainment industry.

A Deeper Rift and Accusations

Insiders close to both actresses revealed that their relationship began to deteriorate years ago following a public spat that centered on personal matters. Eniola Badmus, who has successfully transitioned into politics and remains a strong voice for women’s empowerment, reportedly felt hurt after Laide allegedly made derogatory remarks about her personal life.

According to sources, Laide Bakare once made comments implying that Eniola was unfulfilled because she did not have children or a family—remarks that many saw as deeply insensitive. Badmus, at the time, responded by distancing herself from Laide and publicly calling out what she described as “backhanded judgment.”

Laide later attempted to address the controversy, stating that her comments were misinterpreted and that she never intended to hurt her colleague. However, the apology seemingly failed to mend the damage, leaving a crack in their relationship that never truly healed.

Industry Reaction and Fan Backlash

The recent altercation has drawn widespread attention and mixed reactions from fans, celebrities, and media commentators. Some sympathized with Laide, applauding her for standing up for herself and highlighting the contributions she claims to have made to Eniola’s career. Others, however, criticized her for stooping to personal insults and dragging sensitive issues into the public eye.

Many viewers were particularly disturbed by Laide’s reference to Eniola’s physical appearance, with some describing the comment as body shaming and counterproductive to the growing advocacy for body positivity in Nollywood.

“Whatever the issue, mocking someone for their body or past struggles is unacceptable,” one fan commented. “These women should be setting better examples.”

Another social media user wrote, “Both of them need to grow up. This is not the drama Nollywood needs right now.”

What’s Next for the Feuding Stars?

Despite the intensity of the feud, both Laide Bakare and Eniola Badmus have maintained prominent careers in the film industry, with large fanbases and multiple accolades to their names. However, this clash has raised serious concerns about professionalism and decorum in public spaces, especially among well-known figures.

Whether or not a truce will be called remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the spotlight is now firmly fixed on both actresses as they navigate the fallout from their very public disagreement.

In the meantime, fans are urging both stars to settle their differences maturely and use their platforms to inspire, rather than divide.