Nollywood powerhouse and box office queen, Funke Akindele, has broken her silence regarding a viral video that allegedly showed her “snubbing” Fuji legend, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, at a high-profile event.

The actress took to her official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday to dismiss the claims, describing the narrative as a malicious attempt to create friction where none exists.

The controversy began earlier this weekend when a short, edited clip from the star-studded 55th birthday celebration of veteran actress Faithia Williams (formerly Faithia Balogun) began circulating online. In the footage, Akindele was seen enthusiastically greeting Williams while Pasuma sat at a nearby table, seemingly ignored by the “Jenifa” star.

The video, which carried captions like “Moment Funke Akindele stylishly snubbed Pasuma,” quickly sparked a heated debate among fans and social media critics.

However, reacting to the backlash, Akindele insisted that the clip was selectively edited to suit a negative agenda. “Snub? Hell no. Stop the negativity, please. I saw him, greeted him, and danced with him. Pasuma is my egbon [elder brother]. Please, you all should stop this evil,” she wrote. She further clarified that her relationship with the Fuji maestro remains respectful and cordial, emphasizing that she would never disrespect a senior colleague in the industry.

To support her defense, fans and attendees of the event have since shared longer versions of the footage. The extended clips show Akindele engaging in warm pleasantries with Pasuma and even sharing a lighthearted moment on the dance floor earlier in the evening. Witnesses at the party noted that the atmosphere was celebratory, with several industry giants, including TikTok stars and Nollywood veterans, interacting freely throughout the night.

This incident comes amidst increased public scrutiny of Akindele’s social interactions, following similar “snubbing” rumors involving other colleagues earlier this year.

Nevertheless, the filmmaker has remained firm in her stance against “misleading narratives,” urging social media users to verify clips before jumping to conclusions. As of Sunday evening, the full video of her interaction with Pasuma has trended as a counter-narrative, effectively silencing most of the initial criticism.