The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has accused the Motion Picture Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) and Arewa Filmmakers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN) of blackmail following the boycott of the Zuma Film Festival by Kannywood stars Rahama Sadau, Ali Nuhu and others.
Explaining the reason for the boycott in a press statement on Wednesday, the Kannywood associations pointed out that the film festival was fixed on Sallah Day which is a festive period for all Muslims across the world as well as a public holiday in Nigeria.
Reacting to the statement in a press release sent to Qed.ng on Thursday, the NFC said that inputting sectional bias in the activities of the Nigerian Film Corporation is the height of disservice and mischief, the corporation also accused the associations of blackmail.
The statement also noted that the petitioners did not contact the Nigerian Film Corporation for a response to their allegations.
The press release read in parts: “To input sectional bias in the activities of the Nigerian Film Corporation is the height of disservice and mischief from the authors of this press release and their sponsors.
“It is also worthy to note that many practitioners from Kannywood and other stakeholders from northern Nigeria are actively participating in this year Zuma Film Festival, including the Board of Trustee Chairman of MOPPAN, former Chairman of MOPPAN Malam Abdulkareem Mohammed and Malam Nasiru Bappah Muhammad, who is a member of the Zuma Film Festival Jur.”
“Finally, it is curious that the petitioners did not contact the Nigerian Film Corporation for response to their so-called allegations and await a reply to their online allegations. It is also very curious and drenched in putrid suspicion that the Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board was copied in the petition, given that the Nigerian Film Corporation and Film Festivals are not under the Board’s mandate and supervision.
“The allegations are obviously sponsored to blackmail and scuttle the immense success so far recorded by the festival as could be attested from several prints, electronic and online platforms.”
