“I did not do Benson the Maniac to spur more homosexual rumours about myself, or to generate publicity. It was all about the script, and I was just playing a character who was homosexual, and I dare say, I played it well. It is the fourth gay character I have played in my career, and though it was my movie, I did not write the script. The movie had a storyline and it passed a message across. Nigerians always want to live your life for you, and tell you what you should and should not do. If you play a character well, they automatically conclude that is your real personality. Apart from acting as a homosexual, I have played lots of other roles in my career; why are people not talking about those? I am a versatile actor who can interpret any role, as long as it is make-believe. I am a very daring person; I don’t care what people think about me as long as they don’t put food on my table. A lot of people have tagged me as a ‘gay actor’ but that is just their opinion and I have never been accosted about my sexuality. I used to be very nice, but people used to take advantage of me, and now, I am just doing me.”
He continued, “Only God can judge me; nobody else has the right to do that. If you judge me, you are a sinner because the Bible admonishes us not to judge. He that is without sin should cast the first stone, and I know that no one is clean.
On why producers keep casting him for homosexual roles, Okonkwo said, “I do not know what they see in me. Maybe you should find out from them.”
On the perception that he behaves in a feminine manner, he said, “It is not true that I behave like a woman. Maybe, it is because of the way I dress; all I know is I am a very fashion-forward person.
However, I don’t fix my nails or make my hair; neither do I wear heels. I wear suits, boots and stilettos. I dress and behave manly! If they are mistaking my love for colours and fashion as being feminine, it is their opinion and I am not bothered.”
