Peter Okoye, known professionally as Mr P, has issued a public apology following widespread criticism over comments that appeared to dismiss the value of Nigerian languages. In a social media post, he also accused his twin brother and former P-Square bandmate, Paul Okoye (Rudeboy), of capitalising on the controversy to damage his reputation.
Apology and Clarification
In a statement shared on his X account, Mr P expressed regret that his words caused offence, but insisted they were misinterpreted. “If my response to ‘Who Naija language help?’ upset some people, I apologise and take full responsibility for my words. That doesn’t mean I hate Nigerian languages or our culture,” he wrote. He explained that the controversy began with an innocent tweet about his children speaking French, which led him to joke about buying a house in Paris.
The singer emphasised that he never singled out the Igbo language or expressed hatred toward any Nigerian culture. “At no point did I say I hate the Igbo language or Igbo culture. I said ‘Naija language,’ referring to the different languages in Nigeria, but some individuals twisted it and made it seem like I specifically mentioned Igbo. I didn’t. That said, I still take responsibility for how my words were received,” he added.
Accusations Against Rudeboy
Mr P used the opportunity to address his strained relationship with his brother, accusing Rudeboy of repeatedly trying to undermine him. “But, bro, you’re at it again, using this moment as another opportunity to pull me down,” he wrote. He referenced an open letter from two years ago in which he claimed Rudeboy had been working to turn the public against him. “Just like I wrote in my open letter two years ago, doing everything possible to make people hate me will never work. I don’t know why you look for every opportunity to make derisive comments or jump on the bandwagon whenever I’m being attacked.”
He recalled a previous incident where Rudeboy age-shamed him for dancing, and said the latest episode prompted him to change his approach. “At this point, I think it’s only fair I start giving the same energy I receive. No more Mr. Nice Guy. It’s aura for aura, Egusi for Egusi, Oha for Oha,” he declared, using Nigerian food metaphors to signal a more confrontational stance.
Background of the Feud
The apology comes days after Mr P posted a provocative question on social media: “Again and again… Who Nigerian language help?” which many interpreted as a dismissal of indigenous languages. The comment sparked a wave of criticism, with fans and commentators accusing him of disrespecting Nigerian culture. In follow-up posts, he maintained that he had not complained about his children’s inability to speak his native language, and that his original remark was taken out of context.
Peter and Paul Okoye rose to fame as the duo P-Square, dominating the African music scene with hits like “Chop My Money,” “Personally,” and “Do Me.” They won numerous awards and sold out concerts across the continent. However, years of public disagreements over family matters, management, and business decisions led to the group’s split in 2017. Their relationship has remained tense, with both brothers occasionally exchanging public jabs. The latest exchange is another chapter in a long-running feud that shows no signs of resolution.
Public Reaction
Social media users have been divided over the apology. Some accepted Mr P’s explanation and appreciated his willingness to take responsibility, while others criticised him for deflecting blame onto his brother. The incident has also reignited discussions about the value of indigenous languages in Nigeria and the responsibilities of public figures in promoting cultural heritage.
As of press time, Rudeboy had not publicly responded to the accusations.
