Founder of Glitch Studios, Best Amakhian has addressed the recent exit of media personality, Chinedu Ani Emmanuel (better known as Nedu or Nedu Wazobia) from the popular Honest Bunch podcast, revealing behind-the-scenes efforts to keep him on the show amid controversy.
According to Amakhian, the team made several attempts to persuade Nedu to remain as co-host following allegations of s3xual exploitation and fraud.
He disclosed that he held multiple meetings with Nedu, suggesting a temporary break from the show to allow time to manage the situation.
However, Nedu reportedly declined the offer and opted for a permanent exit, citing concerns for his mental well-being and the need to protect the show’s reputation.
In a recent session on Honest Bunch, Amakhian said: ‘This is a Glitch Africa-owned podcast. We develop content ideas, finance them, and handle marketing. It’s not our only show. We also operate in Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa’.
He said that the decision was ultimately respected by the team, who prioritised integrity and professionalism amid the storm.
Amakhian explained: ‘So, at the height of the controversy, we felt it was best for him to take some time out, to sort out these things. We reached out to him as a team, saying, “We see what the blogs are saying. We see the issue. We recommend that you take a few weeks off.
‘”We will put a statement saying, “Nedu is taking a temporary break to address the current controversy”, At the time, we told him, and he said it was not the best move for him. He would rather leave the show than accept that option.
‘We owe our audience when you hear that something is happening here. For a show built on honesty. For a brand that is African. It is an international brand. We have a lot of eyeballs.
‘He said he would rather leave the show and posted that he was leaving and not coming back. I have known him for years. We have a personal relationship. I thought after the heat, maybe we would have a conversation like two guys. I allowed that to happen as he announced his exit.
‘Weeks later, I had to build some conversations, but he told me that he was done and that we should move on’.
Also, Chukwudi Cyprain Ezugwu (known on the cast as Husband Material), the show’s co-host, said that Nedu decided to step down from the show.
He added that everyone has the right to their own decisions and that he had to respect the comedian’s choice.
He said: ‘We are friends. I know that some people have said you should define friendship. You can be friends with someone, and they are not friends with you. We are friends. We work closely together.
‘We have collaborated for well over 10 years. But you cannot force somebody to do what they do not want to do.
‘For me, it was a personal decision. And the decision was based on the hard work and the efforts that we have put into this. Everybody with their personal decisions’.
The controversy began when VeryDarkMan accused Nedu of s3xual exploitation and fraud, leading to public backlash and Nedu’s eventual departure.
Despite Amakhian’s efforts to retain Nedu, the on-air-personality chose to move on, and the podcast has since welcomed Ifedayo Olarinde (popularly known as Daddy Freeze) as a new co-host.
