Award-winning filmmaker Kunle Afolayan and his brother Aremu Afolayan have laid their long-standing feud to rest during a heartfelt reconciliation at their mother’s wake ceremony.
The sons of the late iconic filmmaker, Ade Love had been estranged for years, clashing over personal differences that often spilled into the public eye.
In 2018, tensions reached a boiling point when Kunle in a Punch interview, called Aremu “stupid” for claiming their father lived in poverty.
Just a week earlier, Aremu had ignited the conflict with a “rags to riches” narrative in another Punch interview, sparking online discord and further widening the rift.
However, on Friday, during the wake ceremony for their mother Omoladun Afolayan in Oyo State, who died on November 2 at the age of 81, the brothers ended their feud.
During the ceremony, Kunle addressed the crowd stating that Aremu is his son, not just his brother.
He said, “One thing I want to tell all his (Aremu’s) friends is that I’m not his brother but his father. Ask him; I trained him. I’m ten years older than him, but you, his female friends, pushed him. But love conquers all.”
Aremu, visibly remorseful, took the opportunity to apologise for his past defiance.
He revealed his mother’s pivotal role in orchestrating their reunion before her passing.
He said, “My mother tried a lot because I had run away from her many times when they said I should go to school. My brother (Kunle) punched me for refusing to go to school.
“My greatest joy today is what has been difficult for me for over 40 years, my mother gave it to me in one day. My brother and I aren’t on good terms, but my mother has made us reconcile.
“She didn’t stop praying because I (Aremu) am the black sheep in the family. I disagree with my brother; he has no excuses because they said we resemble each other.”
Aremu further revealed that Kunle built a house for their mother and included their names despite not contributing a single dime to its construction.
He also apologised to the filmmaker for the Instagram backlash and the challenges he caused him, stating, “It’s because I love you; God knows.”
Aremu continued, “He (Kunle) said I didn’t go to school, and sometimes I’m womanising in nature, but he made me know many people, such as gospel singer Tope Alabi. He has built a house for our mother, and this is the house we are in today.
“I don’t have a kobo in this house, but he built it in our name. I’m sorry for putting you (Kunle) through the Instagram backlash. It’s because I love you”.
Following the emotional tributes, Kunle serenaded Aremu with a song as they embraced.
The funeral ceremony for their mother continued on Saturday.
In attendance was Sola Sobowale, Gabriel Afolayan, Moji Afolayan, Adeshina Afolayan, QEDNG publisher Olumide Iyanda, Seun Soyinka, among others.
