- Regina Daniels’ mother Rita loses AGN presidential election by narrow margin.
- Abubakar Yakubu becomes first Northern AGN President.
- Yakubu beats Rita 116 to 113 votes in Benin AGM poll.
- Rita previously warned to prioritise daughter’s wellbeing over AGN politics.
The race for the top seat in the Actors Guild of Nigeria came to a dramatic finish on Saturday in Benin, Edo State, where guild delegates gathered for their annual general meeting and national election.
At the end of voting, Abubakar Yakubu, a long-time administrator and National Secretary of the AGN won the presidency with 116 votes, narrowly defeating actress Rita Daniels, who scored 113 votes. Three votes were voided, sealing a result that many described as one of the most competitive in years.
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With this victory, Yakubu becomes the first Northerner to lead the Actors Guild of Nigeria since it was founded in the 1990s and formally registered in 1998, a milestone many industry observers called historic.
Yakubu is not a newcomer to the guild’s leadership structure. Over the years, he has served as National Vice President (1994–1995), National Treasurer (2000–2001), Public Relations Officer (2009–2011), and until now, National Secretary (2019–2025). His long career in film, stage and television spans more than 25 years, with notable appearances in Computer Girls (2003), Emotional Pain (2003), and St Mary (2014).
Ifeoma Okeke was elected as the new National Secretary, joining Yakubu in what observers expect to be a fresh leadership era for the guild, which currently boasts over one million registered members across the 36 states and FCT.
The result also came with renewed resurfacing of past criticisms. Earlier in November, former president Emeka Rollas openly advised Rita Daniels to focus on personal matters involving her daughter rather than pursue the AGN presidency.
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In his Instagram note at the time, he said: “If your daughter’s home and health are in distress, AGN elections should not be your priority. Our Guild must be a safe place, and when people in leadership justify harmful habits as ‘celebrity lifestyle’, it puts younger members at risk.”
He added that those encouraging her run were “enemies of the guild.
The newly elected president will now steer the AGN through its next phase of reform, regional inclusion and membership expansion, marking a symbolic leadership shift many hope will unify Nollywood beyond geographic divides.
