In a fiercely contested election that drew nationwide attention, Rita Daniels, mother of Nollywood star Regina Daniels, has lost her bid to become President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). The election, held on Saturday during the Guild’s annual general meeting in Benin, Edo State, saw Daniels go head-to-head with AGN National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu.
Yakubu emerged victorious with 116 votes, narrowly defeating Rita Daniels, who secured 113 votes. Three ballots were declared void, further highlighting how tight and competitive the race was. His win positions him as the first Northern actor to lead the Guild since its establishment in the 1990s a historic milestone for the association.
Yakubu succeeds outgoing President Emeka Rollas, marking the beginning of a new administration expected to steer the Guild through evolving challenges within Nollywood.
The outcome comes just weeks after public commentary urging Rita Daniels to focus more on her daughter’s well-being instead of pursuing the Guild’s top seat a remark that fuelled conversations across social media and within the entertainment community.
With the results now settled, attention shifts to how Yakubu will lead the AGN and whether the narrow margin of victory will influence unity and direction within the Guild moving forward.
