Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna, has thrown his weight behind his colleague and friend, Ini Edo, following criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria over the title of her new movie, A Very Dirty Christmas.
Ogbonna, in a statement shared on his Instagram story on Monday, expressed disappointment with CAN, accusing the body of raising concerns only after the film had been released and gained nationwide attention.
According to him, the movie title had been publicly promoted for months without any objection from CAN, adding that the production proceeded after securing official approval from the National Film and Video Censors Board.
“TBH! I am deeply disappointed with CAN. You saw the promotions for this title for months and said nothing,” Ogbonna wrote.
He noted that the film’s title was duly approved by the censorship authorities and that the producers acted in good faith throughout the process.
“The movie title was officially approved by the Censors Board, and we moved forward in good faith,” he added.
Ogbonna questioned the timing of CAN’s intervention, describing it as unfair and inconsistent, especially now that the film is screening in cinemas and performing well.
“Now that the film is out, showing nationwide and doing well, suddenly there’s an issue with the title,” he wrote, adding, “How Christian is it to stay silent all along, then speak only when progress has been made?”
He stressed that his reaction was not intended to stir conflict but to call for fairness and integrity in addressing such matters.
“This isn’t about conflict – it’s about fairness, consistency, and integrity,” the actor said.
It was earlier reported that Ini Edo appealed to regulators and members of the public not to withdraw the film from cinemas, insisting that it does not ridicule Christianity and that the controversy was centred solely on the title.
In an emotional video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday night, Edo pleaded that audiences be allowed to watch the movie before passing judgment.
“Just don’t pull my film, please. Just allow people to watch .Watch the film and come back and say that this film degrades Christians or degrades Christianity. Then I will pull it,’’ she said.
She further stated that she would personally bear the consequences if the content was found to dishonour God or Christians.
“If it dishonours God or Christians in any way, I will pull it and bear the consequences. I will not be part of something like that,” she said.
Explaining the intention behind the controversial title, the actress said it was never meant to demean the Christian faith or Christendom.
“We chose A Very Dirty Christmas. It was never to demean Christians or disrespect Christendom or dishonour God,” Edo said, adding that the storyline focuses on family conflicts and secrets rather than religious ridicule.
“This film has no dirt in it. It highlights family conflicts, secrets unfolding. It does not ridicule Christians,” she added.
Reacting to the controversy, the National Film and Video Censors Board said it had asked the producer to modify the movie’s title, while acknowledging public concerns raised by CAN.
“However, the Board recognises that public perception and reception are critical elements of effective regulation,” the NFVCB said in a statement.
It added that, in response to the concerns and in the spirit of dialogue, it had requested a change to the title, noting that the Board is guided by provisions of its enabling Act, which empowers it to withdraw a film from exhibition for further review if deemed necessary in the public interest.
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