Veteran Nollywood actor, Fred Amata, has publicly criticized his ex-wife, Agatha Amata, for what he describes as a grave cultural transgression.
The couple, who divorced in 2005 after irreconcilable differences, share a daughter, Stephanie.
Last week, Agatha posted images and a video from Stephanie’s wedding on social media, showing herself walking her daughter down the aisle – a role traditionally reserved for the father of the bride.
Fred Amata was conspicuously absent from the event, sparking questions and leading to his emotional response online.
In a lengthy and impassioned rant on Facebook, the Nollywood star expressed his deep hurt, labeling Agatha’s decision to walk their daughter down the aisle as an “abomination” and a challenge to both tradition and his paternal rights.
He emphasized that not only was he alive and well, but he had also blessed the union prior to the ceremony.
Fred further questioned why the wedding date and time were hidden from him despite his blessing being sought earlier.
Fred used the opportunity to reflect on his failed marriage, shedding light on his instrumental role in building Agatha’s career, specifically her popular talk show ‘Inside-Out with Agatha’.
According to Fred, the success of the show, which made Agatha a household name, was a result of his intellectual vision and relentless effort.
He recounted how he conceived and directed the talk show, which he claims became the foundation of Agatha’s wealth and public recognition.
“For over 20 years, I kept silent and desisted from any comments on my failed marriage, allowing the ‘good wife’, hoping the wounds will heal and a reconciliation possible. But for 20 years, the ‘good wife’ pounded me, rubbished my reputation, belittling my achievements, exploiting my name for her selfish benefits,” Fred began in his post.
The actor recounted his extensive contributions to the show’s success, including enlisting Nollywood heavyweights such as Zack Orji, Okey Bakassi, and Jide Kosoko to support the production.
He also mentioned working with renowned directors and producers like Tunde Kelani, Tade Ogidan, and the late Chico Ejiro. In his view, ‘Inside-Out with Agatha’ became a colossal success due to his efforts, which were never credited to him.
“It was over 25 years ago that I came up with the unique idea of *Inside-Out with Agatha*, a talk show with six informed and opposing points of view… We had gone to see a talk show by Regina Askia, and Agatha wanted to be a talk show host. I told her not to worry, ‘I will come up with something, it will make you be like Oprah Winfrey.’ And I did. Ingeniously,” Fred explained.
He further lamented that, despite the show being his brainchild, Agatha continued to profit from it without giving him any recognition or royalties.
Over the years, Fred claims, Agatha used his name and reputation for her personal gain, while disregarding his role in her success.
“With the influence it wielded and the contacts and connections it gathered, ‘The Good Wife’ soon built an empire with no emperor… My genius, my sweat, my vision, and for 20 years, I swallowed it. My reputation diminished as the Good Wife’s gathered momentum. So today, the Good Wife, using my brainchild, has become a billionaire—no credit to me,” he added.
Fred expressed his disbelief at Agatha’s decision to walk their daughter down the aisle without informing him, calling it a deliberate attempt to tarnish his image. He highlighted that in African tradition, particularly in Delta State, where they hail from, a woman walking her daughter down the aisle is unheard of, especially when the father is alive and willing to participate.
“But understand this, ‘good wife’ Agatha: everything you have ever owned and will ever own is because of ‘Inside Out’. It is my brainchild, my intellectual property… The ‘good wife’ will dare tradition. Challenge abomination, embrace taboo, stare Africa in the eyes to manipulate my daughter and her husband… to walk my daughter down the aisle,” Fred continued.
Fred ended his post by addressing his feelings of betrayal and loss, questioning what options were left to him as a father. He also expressed confusion about why his role in his daughter’s life had been disregarded and what drove Agatha to such extremes.
“What kind of ‘good wife’ does a thing like this simply to make a man look bad?” he asked, pleading with the public for understanding as he navigates this painful chapter of his life.
Fred’s revelations have sparked a conversation on social media about the role of fathers in their children’s weddings and the challenges of co-parenting after divorce.
