Christy Essien-Igbokwe And The Politics That Robbed Her At The 1983 Seoul Song Festival

One of the incidents indicative of the inner politics of the internationally acclaimed music awards happened when Christy Essien-Igbokwe was the contestant that represented Nigeria at the Seoul Song Festival in 1983 – one of the events under the International Federation Of Festival Organizers – FIDOF

According to the now late Tessy Allan, the representative of FIDOF, Christy Essien-Igbokwe was winning at all the several stages during the festival singing her song ‘Seun Rere’ and displaying never before seen choreography. When she got to the final, the organizing committee pulled Tessy Allan to the side, telling him that as the organizing country that funded the event, it won’t be nice if their contestant lost to Christy Essien. So they agreed she will be the runner up. That was how the now late Christy Essien won Silver medal instead of Gold that she rightfully deserved.