Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has issued a public apology following intense backlash over his recent social media comments that questioned the practical value of Nigerian languages. In a statement shared on his verified X handle on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, the former P-Square member clarified that his remarks were widely misinterpreted and were never intended to disparage the Igbo language or culture.
The Controversy Begins
The controversy erupted from what Peter described as an innocent post celebrating his children's fluency in French during a family trip to Paris. In that post, he made comments that led many to believe he was dismissive of Nigerian languages. Social media users quickly condemned him, accusing him of denigrating local tongues. In his apology, Peter insisted that his responses were misconstrued, emphasizing that he did not single out his native language for criticism. "At no point did I say I hate the Igbo language or Igbo culture," he wrote. "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."
Peter Okoye's Apology
In his lengthy statement, Peter took full responsibility for how his words were received. "If my response to 'Who Naija language help?' upset some people, I apologize and take full responsibility for my words. That doesn't mean I hate Nigerian languages or our culture," he said. He reiterated that the entire incident stemmed from a lighthearted tweet about his children speaking French, which inexplicably snowballed into a major controversy. He expressed regret that his remarks were twisted to reflect negativity toward the Igbo language specifically.
Accusations Against Twin Brother Paul
However, the singer escalated the situation by levelling serious accusations against his twin brother and former bandmate, Paul Okoye (Rudeboy). Peter alleged that Paul deliberately exploited the public outcry to tarnish his reputation. Although he did not explicitly name his brother, Peter's language made it clear he was referring to Paul. "But again, bro, you're at it again, using this moment as another opportunity to pull me down," Peter wrote. He referenced a previous open letter from two years ago, accusing Paul of persistent character assassination. "Doing everything possible to make people hate me will never work," he added.
The friction follows an earlier post by Paul Okoye on X, in which he championed Nigerian culture and indigenous languages. Social media users quickly interpreted Paul's post as a subtle, direct jab at his twin brother's initial remarks. Peter accused Paul of deliberately twisting his words and using petty tactics to damage his reputation. "Yes, people are dragging me over my statement, and that's okay. We all have moments where our words can be misunderstood or where we could have expressed ourselves better. I accept that. But deliberately twisting my words and using petty tactics to damage my reputation says a lot," Peter stated.
A Pattern of Attacks?
Peter further alleged that his brother has a history of making derisive comments and jumping on the bandwagon whenever he faces attacks. "I don't know why you look for every opportunity to make derisive comments or jump on the bandwagon whenever I'm being attacked. The other time, you threw shades at me and even age-shamed me for still dancing at my age. Now it's this again," he wrote. He declared that he would no longer tolerate such behaviour, stating, "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."
Impact and Reactions
The public feud between the Okoye twins has once again drawn attention to their long-standing rift, which has been a subject of media speculation since the breakup of P-Square in 2017. Many fans have expressed disappointment at the ongoing public spat, while others have called for reconciliation. The controversy has also sparked broader discussions about the importance of indigenous languages and cultural pride in Nigeria. As of press time, Paul Okoye had not publicly responded to his brother's accusations.
