“I Was Offered Dollars to Alter My Content” — Governor Amuneke

Kevin Chinedu, a Nigerian skit maker who goes by the names Kevinblak or Governor Amuneke, has said that members of a political party offered him money to change the content of his funny skits that make fun of politicians and government.

Kevinblak talked about this in an interview on ARISE Television’s show, where he talked about the stress that content creators face when they use humor to hold public officials accountable.

Governor Amuneke said he was asked to come to Abuja at a time when he was very vulnerable, right after his wife had a C-section and he was having trouble with money.

The comedian said that even though he was under a lot of financial stress, he turned down the offer and stuck to his values.

He said, “Members of a political party offered me money to change my content.” They told me they were going to change my life and that I was making a lot of money, but I was only getting pennies. They said that my coworkers are in the game and all that.

“I had a lot of bills to pay, and then I heard, “Come to Abuja; let’s change your life.” Dollars and dollars.

“I looked at it and said, “No, I’m who I am.” I’ve been here for a long time and have never done anything illegal. I’ve never been somewhere where I was doing something because I was being influenced or because of money.

“If I want to do it, it should be something I want to do.” It is what it is, you know.

Kevinblak also refused to name the party, saying only that it was “Amuneke’s party,” which is a reference to the made-up political figure in his skits. He also warned against trying to figure out who it was in public.

He said, “Don’t say names, trust me, don’t say names.”

When asked if friends had pushed him to take the money, Chinedu said that his close friends were just as principled and had also been asked and said no.

He said, “I don’t have friends who are easily overwhelmed by money.” I know people who have principles because they have thought about them and acted on them. So, we always talk about that.