Nigerian music star Peter Okoye has fired back at critics questioning his decision to shift his birthday celebration from November 18 to November 30, insisting the backlash is unnecessary and exaggerated.
The musician, professionally known as Mr. P and is part of the now-defunct P-Square, had previously declared that he would no longer accept birthday wishes or presents on the original day, citing the choice as a personal one.
In response to the controversy on Tuesday via X, Peter questioned why the matter had become a topic of public indignation and expressed surprise at the ferocity of the responses.
“Una dey vex like say I cancel Christmas? Na my birthday date I move… no be your own, why e dey pain you? Even Jesus Christ December 25th date sef, people still dey debate am,” he wrote.
The musician further criticised what he described as misplaced priorities, suggesting that the attention given to his birthday change was excessive compared to more pressing national concerns.
“Why cry more than the bereaved? Only in Nigeria, funny how my birthday date shift is causing more pain than Nigeria’s real problems,” he added.
Peter also delivered a final remark aimed at his critics, stating: “Just for the record: Insult no dey reduce success. Who don make am, don make am! Know that and know peace.”
The singer, who rose to fame alongside his twin brother Paul Okoye as part of P-Square, has had a turbulent history with the group. The duo enjoyed massive success in the 2000s and early 2010s before their first public split in 2015 over management and royalty disputes.
They eventually disbanded in 2017, with Peter pursuing a solo career as Mr P while Paul performed as Rudeboy. Although they reunited in 2021 and made music together, tensions later resurfaced, leading to fresh disagreements over financial and managerial issues within the group.
