By Cynthia Akande
Nigerian comedian and actor, Bright Okpocha, better known by his stage name Basketmouth, has tendered an apology to his colleague AY Makun, and other comedians he has offended.
Last year, the two entertainers confirmed they were not on talking terms after they were spotted avoiding each other in public.
Earlier In March, speaking during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, AY had revealed that, N30,000 was what tore his friendship apart with Basketmouth.
AY said: “Now, something funny happened, one of the gigs per say, I got his endorsement to go stand in for him. Usually, what we get that time is N30,000, and that amount of money was everything to me. It would buy me my pack of noodles, recharge card, fuel for my car and generator. I would also avail myself of the opportunity to pay one or two people to do one or two skits that I can quickly put out. So, I got this job but the people were not too happy to see me at the venue because they were expecting Basketmouth.
“Long story short, the guy was later happy with my performance and there was an exchange of numbers and I left. This gig came through one of Basketmouth’s guys. Two weeks running, I had not seen N30,000 and I was starving, as a bachelor, I had nothing. So, I decided to ask for N30,000 and he said the person had not paid.”
Reacting to AY’s comment, Basketmouth described his colleague’s account of the incident as “lies”.
However in a video shared on his Instagram page on Monday, Basketmouth tendered a public apology to AY and his other colleagues.
He said: “Now, to all the people in the industry and beyond that I have offended. I’m saying this to you right now from the bottom of my heart: I’m genuinely sorry; please forgive me.
“To the people who have accused me of doing things that have affected their careers in one way or the other, I’m not going to accept or deny these allegations, but God knows the truth. But regardless, please forgive me from the bottom of my heart.
The comedian continued, “Now to my guy AY, I don’t know if my apology is still valid right now but if it is, please forgive me for whatever I have done or said in the past that had affected you in any way. I want you to know that I have forgiven you for anything you had said or done knowingly or unknowingly. It has gone and I just want us to live in peace and harmony.”
