Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has come to the strong defense of her daughter, Priscilla Ojo, following a heated controversy sparked by Tanzanian media personality Mange Kimambi. The dispute unfolded on Instagram, where Kimambi publicly criticized Priscilla and her Tanzanian husband, musician Juma Jux, over their social media content during Tanzania’s politically sensitive pre-election period.
Kimambi’s lengthy Instagram post, shared on a Friday, referred to Priscilla as “a sweet girl” who has been warmly welcomed by Tanzanians. However, she insisted that the couple’s frequent online activity was distracting citizens from what she described as the country’s “fight of a lifetime” ahead of the national elections. She urged the couple to “lay low” and refrain from sharing content for the next five months to avoid undermining ongoing political efforts.
The blogger’s post included a direct plea: “Your Tanzanian in-laws love you. We need our people to pay attention to the fight so we don’t need you and Jux to distract our people with stupid content that the government wants you guys to post.” She further warned them not to disrupt the political climate and even told Juma Jux to keep a low profile, mentioning his close friend, renowned Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz.
Kimambi’s comments sparked a swift and fierce response from Iyabo Ojo. The Nollywood actress took to Instagram to address the controversy, calling the blogger’s remarks an act of intimidation and disrespect. “I’m appalled by your audacity!” she wrote, tagging Kimambi and condemning her for referring to Priscilla and her husband in such a dismissive and hostile manner.
Iyabo Ojo emphasized her role as a parent who has taught her daughter to be confident and authentic in expressing herself. She warned that while her family—referred to as the Mkambala—is peaceful, she does not tolerate any form of disrespect or intimidation aimed at her daughter.
Addressing rumors surrounding the couple’s wedding, Iyabo Ojo clarified that the event was not funded by the Tanzanian government but was instead a cultural tradition in her family where the bride’s family bears the wedding expenses. “I wanted an elaborate wedding for my daughter in Nigeria, and we, Nigerians, gave her one,” she stated, dispelling the misinformation circulating online.
The wedding itself was a grand and elaborate affair, spanning several months. It began with a traditional Tanzanian ceremony in February, followed by a civil wedding in Tanzania. The celebrations continued with a series of events in Nigeria, culminating in a grand finale in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in May. The festivities, tagged with the hashtag #JP2025, captured widespread attention and became one of the year’s most talked-about celebrity weddings.
In her statement, Iyabo Ojo also highlighted her activism, declaring that she fights for her principles without insulting or targeting others. She criticized Kimambi for trying to dictate the lives of her daughter and son-in-law while residing abroad in the United States. “It’s laughable that you, living in America, think you can dictate to my daughter and her husband, who are living their lives in Tanzania,” she said.
She concluded her message with a firm warning to Kimambi: “Keep my daughter out of your affairs. She’ll post what she likes, when she likes, and how she likes. She doesn’t need you to love her. She is very loved and well loved. We protect our own. Never forget that.”
The online exchange between Iyabo Ojo and Mange Kimambi quickly captured attention across both Nigeria and Tanzania, sparking widespread conversations on social media. The incident sheds light on the delicate balance between celebrity freedom and political sensitivities, particularly when public figures operate across national and cultural boundaries.
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