Singer Peter Okoye, known as Mr P, has apologised for remarks questioning the usefulness of Nigerian languages, saying they were never meant as an attack on Igbo culture.
The former P-Square member clarified his position in a post on X on Wednesday, days after his reply to a social media user triggered widespread criticism.
“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 wrote.
The controversy began after Okoye posted from Paris that his children speaking French fluently made him consider buying a house there. When asked if they also spoke Igbo, he replied: “And who naija language help? Make I hear word abeg.”
He insisted he had referred generally to Nigerian languages and not specifically to Igbo. “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,” he stated.
Okoye accepted that people were entitled to criticise him but accused an unnamed individual of deliberately distorting his words 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… But deliberately twisting my words and using petty tactics to damage my reputation says a lot,” he added.
The singer concluded by saying he would no longer remain passive in the face of such attacks.
