Adedibu family, filmmaker clash over ‘unauthorised’ biopic as producer rejects ₦500 million demand
The family alleges that the film contains false accounts of the late politician’s private life and career, while the producer insists its portrayal is drawn from public records. The post Adedibu family, filmmaker clash…
Lamidi Adedibu was one of Nigeria's most influential and controversial political godfathers, dominating Oyo State politics for decades until his death in 2008. Known as the "Garrison Commander" of Ibadan politics, his larger-than-life persona and alleged kingmaker role in the Fourth Republic have made him a recurring subject of public fascination, with his life story carrying both political and cultural weight in the South-West.
Disputes between filmmakers and the families of public figures depicted in biopics are not new in Nigeria's growing film industry, often hinging on questions of consent, accuracy, and compensation when a person's life and legacy are dramatised for commercial release. In this case, the Adedibu family disputes the accuracy of private and career details in "Adedibu: Alagbara Ibadan" and is seeking ₦500 million from producer Seun Oloketuyi, who maintains the film draws on publicly available records rather than privileged family accounts. What remains unclear from the coverage so far is the legal basis for the family's monetary demand, whether any formal rights agreement existed before production, and how the dispute might affect the film's release.