A lighthearted moment at a major African awards show took an unexpected turn, sparking widespread online conversation. The incident involved actress Annie Idibia and Big Brother Naija reality star Adekunle Olopade, popularly known as Adekunle.
The On-Stage Banter That Shifted The Mood
The scene was set at the prestigious 9th All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos. The two celebrities were co-presenting the award for Best Male Artist when Adekunle decided to go off-script.
In a now-viral video clip from the event, Adekunle turned to Annie with a playful question about her relationship status. "Just before we present the award, I just wanted to find out, are you single?" he asked. Annie laughed in response, complimenting him by saying, "He is a fine young man though, I'm not going to lie."
Expressing mock concern, Adekunle added, "I don't want a situation where someone runs up and slaps me off stage," to which Annie quickly reassured him, "You are safe."
The Trigger Word That Caused a Stir
The conversation continued with Annie mentioning she had seen some of Adekunle's online content. It was his reply that changed the atmosphere. Adekunle stated, "I am not the one in those videos, I am 'Innocent'."
The mention of the name "Innocent" appeared to catch Annie completely off guard. Her demeanor shifted visibly; she was seen fidgeting on stage before quietly handing the presentation note to Adekunle, allowing him to proceed with announcing the award winner.
This reaction is widely understood because Annie's estranged husband is music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba. The couple's marital struggles have been highly publicized, making the name a sensitive topic.
Social Media Erupts With Mixed Reactions
The brief exchange quickly spread across social media platforms, with netizens sharing divided opinions on the encounter.
Many users focused on Annie's visible discomfort. One user, @MachalaaAgent, commented, "It's obvious she's still in love with the Person that rejected her women have sense fgs in this 2026!!!!!" Another, @SpartacusofTX, pointed out the awkward phrasing, "Bro! How will you say I'm completely INNOCENT. INNOCENT is her ex-husband name na!"
Others criticized Adekunle's choice of words. @Itz_StylusMerry said, "This guy ain't smart. Why would you pull such a stunt. Daamn!" while @arifimile noted, "This is how men talk themselves out of a good time."
Some interpreted her reaction as a sign of unresolved feelings, with @Odd_Legal suggesting, "'I'm completely Innocent' She's definitely not having that. The word innocent gives her PSTD."
This viral moment comes shortly after Annie herself stirred speculation about her marital status. She was recently spotted wearing her wedding ring during an outing in South Africa, just days after she quietly changed her social media name back to Annie Idibia from Annie Macaulay.
