Nigerian Singer Peter Okoye known as Mr P has issued a partial apology following the backlash over his response to a fan who questioned whether his French-speaking children could also speak Igbo.
The controversy began after Mr P shared a post from Paris celebrating his children’s fluency in French and revealing that he was considering buying property there. A fan then asked if the children also spoke Igbo, prompting Mr P to reply, “Who naija language help?”
The remark quickly sparked criticism, with many accusing him of belittling Nigerian languages and neglecting his cultural heritage despite building much of his music career with songs that incorporate Igbo and other local languages.
In a follow-up statement, Mr P acknowledged that his response offended many people and accepted responsibility for the backlash. However, he clarified that his comment was not directed at the Igbo language specifically but reflected his frustration with the limited opportunities associated with Nigerian languages in general. He insisted he does not hate Igbo culture or his roots.
The singer also used the opportunity to address his estranged twin brother, Paul Okoye, (Rudeboy) accusing him of taking advantage of the controversy to deepen their long-running family feud. Referencing an earlier open letter between them, Mr P alleged that Rudeboy was using the situation to score public points instead of seeking peace.
Ending his remarks with the phrase, “aura for aura, Egusi for Egusi, Oha for Oha,” Mr P signaled that he was prepared to respond in equal measure to any further attacks, suggesting the public disagreement between the brothers remains far from over.
By Musekir Faisat Omolara
