Singer Peter Okoye, better known as Mr P of the now-defunct P-Square, has apologised after his controversial “Who Naija language help?” comment sparked a social media firestorm, insisting he never insulted the Igbo language or culture.
The singer, in a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday, admitted his remark offended many Nigerians but said it had been misunderstood.
“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.
Mr P said the controversy began after he shared what he believed was an innocent post about his children speaking French during a family trip to Paris.
“It all started from an innocent tweet where I said my kids speak French, and it made me think maybe I should buy a house in Paris. Somehow, that turned into something completely different,” he said.
The singer maintained that he never singled out the Igbo language, accusing critics of twisting his words to fuel the backlash.
“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.”
Mr P also took a swipe at an unnamed individual, accusing the person of repeatedly trying to destroy his reputation whenever an opportunity arises.
“But again, bro, you’re at it again, using this moment as another opportunity to pull me down. Just like I wrote in my open letter two years ago, doing everything possible to make people hate me will never work,” he wrote.
While accepting the criticism over his controversial comment, the music star said he would no longer tolerate what he described as deliberate attempts to misrepresent him.
“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.”
He further alleged that the same individual had previously mocked him for still dancing despite his age.
“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.”
Warning that he would no longer remain silent, Mr P declared: “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.”
The controversy erupted after the singer, while in Paris, revealed that hearing his children speak fluent French made him consider buying a house in the French capital.
However, when an X user asked whether the children could also speak Igbo, Mr P replied, “And who naija language help? Make I hear word abeg.”
The response triggered fierce reactions online, with many Nigerians accusing the singer of disrespecting indigenous languages, while others defended his right to decide how his children should be raised.
