March 18, (THEWILL) — Filmmaker and Chief Executive Officer of Wale Adenuga Productions, Wale Adenuga, has responded to claims by actor Abiodun Ayoyinka, popularly known as Papa Ajasco, that he is facing financial hardship.
Ayoyinka sparked reactions online after alleging that he is broke despite his long-standing role in the popular TV series “Papa Ajasco and Company.” He also revealed that he does not own a car or a house.
The situation drew further attention on Tuesday when influencer King Mitchy visited the actor and gifted him bundles of cash in an emotional moment shared online.
Responding in a statement on Wednesday, Adenuga described claims of neglect as “false and misleading.”
“My first impression when I watched the Papa Ajasco video now trending on the internet… was: ‘Okay, so this guy has taken Papa Ajasco comedy into the public space!’ It is all well and good. I am happy for him, as his money-making strategy using social media has apparently worked for him,” he said.
He added, “Candidly, I want to address the wave of misinformation, emotional commentary, and uninformed public intervention that has followed his recent media interview. I am doing this not with malice, but in the interest of truth, transparency, and the integrity of a legacy that has entertained millions of Nigerians for decades.”
Adenuga said Ayoyinka worked as a civil servant for over three decades and maintained that there had been no issues between them.
On the claims about a car and house, Adenuga said the actor had been given a car in the past, had used at least five vehicles including a Mercedes-Benz, and, to his knowledge, owns a house in Ogun State.
He also clarified that actors are free to take on other jobs, including adverts, as long as official approval is sought to protect the brand.
Questioning the claims, Adenuga added,
“Now, the question is: why is Abiodun Ayoyinka claiming to be broke? Where are the investments from his over 30 years of meritorious service with the Lagos State Government? What happened to his gratuities?”
He concluded,
“The organisation pays according to industry standards and ensures all financial obligations are fulfilled as and when due. Therefore, any narrative suggesting financial abandonment or exploitation by our organization is entirely false and misleading.”
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
