President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Emeka Rollas has warned that members endorsing presidential candidates ahead of the 2023 elections do not represent the interest of the guild.
Rollas said this in a statement issued after a “crucial meeting” of its national executive committee.
The AGN president said actors are at liberty to endorse or promote any presidential candidate of their choice but cannot do so under the guise of representing the collective interest of the association.
“The AGN is a non-political and non-profit-making association. It is the right of individual members to campaign for, support, promote, and even endorse any aspirant of their choice,” he said.
“Such an individual does not represent the interest of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and must not speak in a manner of representing or on behalf of the Guild. Any member who violates the order will be sanctioned accordingly.
“Any political party that discusses campaign promotion, rallies, and other political issues with an individual actor on behalf of the AGN does so at their own risk,” he added.
Emeka also urged members of the guild to take into cognizance the manifesto of political aspirants for the creative industry, especially on how to develop Nollywood before giving their support.
He called on all presidential aspirants to present blueprints on how to develop the creative industry in general.