Iyabo Ojo Speaks Out on Gistlover Allegation: “I Was Shocked, Why Would I Tarnish My Own Image?”

 

Veteran Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo has publicly addressed rumors linking her to the controversial blog, Gistlover, expressing disbelief and frustration over the accusations.

During a candid sit-down with comedian AY Makun, the actress refuted claims made by online personality Verydarkman, who had pointed fingers at her amid a public spat. The suggestion that she could be the mastermind behind the faceless, gossip-heavy platform came as a blow to Ojo, who dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Ojo didn’t just deny the claim—she challenged the very logic behind it. “Some people accused me of owning Gistlover. I was shocked when they said Iyabo Ojo is Gistlover. If I am, will I post about my life and also drag my daughter on Gistlover?” she asked during the interview.

She went further to unpack how damaging the rumors have been, emphasizing that the content shared by the blog—often involving salacious and unverified personal details—has also targeted her and her family. “The rubbish that was written about me having threesomes and stuff, is for what reason? Why would I drag my own daughter and myself? To destroy my name and reputation?” she questioned passionately.

According to the actress, Gistlover’s controversial stories typically stem from betrayals by those within a person’s inner circle. She believes many of the so-called "exclusives" the blog shares are fed to it by friends, colleagues, or associates close enough to access private information. “One thing I found out about Gistlover is that it is the people close to you who take your information to Gistlover. Sometimes the information is wrong, but they still take it,” Ojo explained.

Her comments come amidst growing scrutiny of celebrity culture in Nigeria, where public figures often find themselves at the center of viral online dramas. The anonymity and reach of platforms like Gistlover have made it increasingly difficult for celebrities to control their public image, especially when accusations are made without evidence.

Ojo’s statement is the latest in a series of reactions from high-profile Nigerians pushing back against online misinformation and what many describe as digital witch hunts. Her emotional tone during the interview underscored not just her innocence, but her disappointment at how easily reputations can be damaged in the social media age.

While Ojo has made it clear she has nothing to do with Gistlover, her experience highlights a larger issue—one where the line between public interest and invasion of privacy continues to blur, with real consequences for those in the spotlight.