“I CHOOSE PEACE”: ENIOLA BADMUS EXTENDS OLIVE BRANCH TO LAIDE BAKARE

Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus has issued a public apology to her colleague, Laide Bakare, following her dismissive reaction when Bakare’s name was mentioned during a recent podcast interview.

The Eniola Badmus apologises Laide Bakare peace move, shared on Instagram on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, signals a potential end to a feud that has simmered for years and repeatedly spilled into public view .

THE PODCAST MOMENT

The controversy began during Badmus’s appearance on Isbae U’s popular YouTube show, Curiosity Made Me Ask. When the host named Bakare as one of his favourite actresses, Badmus was visibly seen hissing and changing her facial expression in a display of irritation .

The clip surfaced on Instagram on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and quickly went viral.

Isbae U attempted to stand his ground, telling Badmus that everyone is entitled to their preferences. Badmus, to her credit, collected herself almost immediately.

“Yes, yes, that so you have your choice,” she said, before adding, “Apologies on that. Yeah, I’m listening” .

BAKARE’S FURY

Bakare did not let the moment pass.

On Monday, October 19, 2026, she shared the clip on her Instagram page and unleashed a scathing response, calling Badmus a “nuisance” and an “ingrate” .

“Must you always damage my character publicly? I have warned you several times to stop, but you have decided to bring me down at all costs. You will surely hear from me,” Bakare wrote.

She referred to herself as Badmus’s “biggest benefactor” and claimed she had helped Badmus grow in life when others would not. “See your facial expressions at the mention of your biggest benefactor’s name? The lady who helped you grow. Honestly, you are indeed an ingrate, and I won’t let this slide”.

Bakare also claimed, in a subsequent interview, that she used to give Badmus money and roles when “nobody wanted to use her in their films” because of her appearance .

BADMUS’S APOLOGY

Badmus’s response came on Tuesday, and it was not a counterattack. It was an apology.

In a statement posted on her Instagram page, she acknowledged that her reaction could have come across as dismissive and addressed Bakare directly .

“On reflection, I realise my reaction when Laide Bakare’s name was mentioned during my recent interview could have come across as dismissive, and for that, I sincerely apologise,” she wrote.

“Laide, whatever our differences, I choose peace and I genuinely wish you well”.

She framed the apology as a matter of personal growth. “We’re all growing, learning and becoming better versions of ourselves. Sometimes maturity is simply knowing when to let go and move forward,” she stated .

She ended with an appeal for peace in Yoruba: “Joo maa binu. No negativity. No grudges. Let love lead and peace reigns” .

ISBAE U’S REACTION

The podcast host, whose interview triggered the entire episode, reacted in the comments of Badmus’s post. “Let love lead. Na my interview go fix Nigeria in whole. I love you both so much. You both should give me a kiss,” Isbae U wrote .

A HISTORY OF CONFLICT

The Badmus-Bakare feud is not new. It has played out in public for years.

In March 2024, Badmus appeared to mock Bakare’s outfit at the latter’s book launch, asking on Instagram, “Ewo ninu yin lo wo Aso Pastor Ajidara. Abeg who??”

The comment was widely interpreted as a reference to Bakare’s white and orange ensemble .

Bakare responded by expressing disappointment that colleagues focused on her perceived flaws rather than celebrating her achievements.

She also questioned why Badmus, whom she described as a childhood friend from their University of Ibadan days, had singled her out.

The feud resurfaced in April 2025 at the premiere of Eniola Ajao’s film Owambe Thieves in Lagos. Videos circulating online showed a heated exchange between the actresses, with Badmus reportedly saying they were not friends and asking that they not be filmed together.

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Bakare later shared screenshots of their private messages and accused Badmus of ingratitude, claiming she had helped her career when other filmmakers were reluctant to work with her .

WHY IT MATTERS

The Badmus-Bakare feud is a familiar story in Nollywood: two successful women, a history of real or perceived slights, and a public that watches every jab and hiss.

But Badmus’s apology changes the script. Instead of escalating, she chose to de-escalate. Instead of matching insult for insult, she offered peace.

Whether Bakare accepts the apology remains to be seen. She has not publicly responded to Badmus’s statement as of the time of this report. But the gesture itself is significant.

In an industry where feuds are often good for engagement and bad for nothing, choosing peace is a radical act.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Badmus has apologised and urged peace. Bakare has not yet responded.