The Honest Bunch Podcast has strongly refuted allegations of manipulation made by Ugochukwu Nwokolo, the reigning Mr Supranational Nigeria, following his controversial statements during a January interview on the show.
In a statement released on Thursday, the podcast’s organizers clarified that Nwokolo’s remarks were entirely his own and that he was neither coerced nor pressured into making them. The statement came in response to Nwokolo’s recent claims that he was manipulated into making controversial comments for virality, including his widely criticized statement that “poor girls turn me on” and that “the poorer the girl, the more attracted I am to her.”
Following a strong public backlash, Nwokolo attempted to distance himself from his own words, alleging that Nedu, a co-host of The Honest Bunch Podcast, pressured him into making such statements and even encouraged him to mention social media personality VeryDarkMan to boost the episode’s visibility. He further claimed, in an interview with YouTuber Lucky Udu, that Nedu demanded a ₦5 million payment for the appearance and insisted on a pre-arranged discussion angle to ensure the content went viral.
Podcast Organizers Set the Record Straight
Dismissing these allegations, the Honest Bunch Podcast maintained that Nwokolo’s participation was a paid appearance and that he had full control over the topics he chose to discuss. The organizers emphasized that no one on the team dictated or influenced his statements, as he arrived prepared with a personal notepad outlining his talking points.
“We have become aware of the recent claims made by Ugo Nwokolo regarding his appearance on The Honest Bunch Podcast. For the sake of clarity, we would like to set the record straight,” the statement read.
“Mr. Ugo Nwokolo appeared on our platform for a paid appearance, during which he had the freedom to select a topic of his choice—which he did. At no point did we suggest a specific topic to him, nor was he instructed on what to say, either as a team or individually. Furthermore, he was never pressured to discuss any particular issue. He arrived with a notepad outlining his points.”
Concerns Over Nwokolo’s Integrity
The podcast team expressed disappointment over Nwokolo’s accusations, stating that it was “deeply concerning” that someone willing to spread falsehoods for personal gain was representing Nigeria on an international stage.
“We are truly shocked that someone who lacks integrity and dignity, and is willing to spread falsehoods for fame, has been crowned by the prestigious Mr World Nigeria,” the statement continued.
“It is concerning to think that this individual is now set to represent us on the global stage.”
Calling on the Silverbird Group and other institutions overseeing the Mr. Nigeria pageant, the podcast urged an investigation into Nwokolo’s character, questioning whether he was a suitable ambassador for the country.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to transparency and value the diversity of opinions expressed on our platform, regardless of our personal views. We kindly ask that the institution and the Silverbird Group look into the character of this man.”
Nedu’s Exit from the Podcast
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the interview comes shortly after Nedu’s resignation as the host of The Honest Bunch Podcast on February 13. In his exit statement, he cited “unfounded accusations” and the toll on his personal life, peace of mind, and family as reasons for stepping down.
As the debate continues, this incident has reignited discussions on the responsibility of public figures, the influence of viral content, and the ethical boundaries of media interviews. Whether Nwokolo’s claims hold weight or are merely an attempt at damage control remains a topic of public scrutiny.
