The former manager of Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam 1, has come to his defense amidst a swirling paternity scandal. Ayo Shonaiya asserted that many women deliberately aim to conceive children with the singer, framing it as a sought-after prize rather than an abandonment issue.
Shonaiya's Defense on Social Media
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Shonaiya responded to the controversy ignited by Ogechi Eleana's claim that Kwam 1 fathered and subsequently abandoned her 12-year-old daughter. The allegation triggered a firestorm of debate across social media platforms. Shonaiya argued that those criticizing the singer fail to comprehend the unique dynamics of his life and the extraordinary attention he receives from women.
“Wasiu Ayinde is an enigma. People who have never been around him don’t know how his life is. He is a ‘Chosen One’. Women line up just to be noticed by him, want to get pregnant by him and have his offspring. I have seen this with my own eyes,” Shonaiya wrote.
Shifting the Focus to Women's Willingness
Shonaiya contended that public scrutiny has been disproportionately directed at Kwam 1, while the apparent willingness of some women to bear his children has been overlooked. He stressed that this phenomenon is not about coercion but about a conscious desire among some women to link their lineage to the Fuji star.
“Everyone is talking about him and commenting. But do we wonder about the women who willingly and knowingly want to have children for this man? Why? Because they want a child with his bloodline. It really is like a ‘souvenir’. It’s crazy,” he stated.
According to Shonaiya, this trend is ongoing. “I promise you, as we speak, there are still some women out there who are waiting for their ‘turn’ to get pregnant by him. This is his reality. His world is different. He is not an ordinary human being. Only people who have been around him for a considerable period will understand what I’m saying,” he claimed.
Kwam 1's Public Response
The singer himself addressed the allegations during a performance at the 10th coronation anniversary of the Onikate of Ikate, Lateef Adams. However, he did not directly acknowledge the paternity claim. Instead, he described the pregnancy as an “unnecessary and free gift,” a remark that drew widespread criticism from Nigerians who accused him of mocking Ms Eleana and her daughter.
Kwam 1's saxophonist, Olawale Adekoya, later defended the comments and issued an apology. According to a report by this newspaper, Adekoya clarified that they were not specifically referring to Ms Eleana and her daughter. He explained that the rhythm emerged spontaneously from the excitement of the performance and was never intended to offend anyone. Adekoya added that Kwam 1 was unaware of the meaning his drummer, Ayankunle Ayanlowo, had assigned to the rhythm until that day.
