“Mr P Apologises Over ‘Naija Language’ Comment” — Rudeboy’s Igbo Pride Post Reopens Old P-Square Feud

The long-running feud between twin brothers, Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, and Paul Okoye, known as Rudeboy, has resurfaced after a controversial comment by Mr P about Nigerian languages triggered public criticism and another exchange between the former P-Square members.
The latest controversy began after Mr P, who is currently in Paris, shared a post celebrating his children’s fluency in French and disclosed that he was considering buying a property in the French capital. When a fan asked whether his children could also speak Igbo, Mr P replied, “And who Naija language help?” a comment that immediately drew backlash from Nigerians who accused him of dismissing indigenous languages and cultural identity.
Many critics said the remark was particularly troubling because of Mr P’s Igbo background and P-Square’s long history of using Nigerian languages, local expressions and cultural references in some of their hit songs. Others argued that parents should be free to decide the languages their children learn, especially where children are growing up or schooling abroad.
Mr P initially defended his position, insisting that parents should have the right to choose the languages their children speak. But as the criticism intensified, his twin brother, Rudeboy, appeared to respond indirectly by sharing a video of his Igbo-inspired song, “Nkenji Keke,” while expressing pride in his Nigerian and Igbo identity.
Although Rudeboy did not mention Mr P by name, many fans interpreted the post as a direct response to his brother’s comment and a public reaffirmation of the importance of indigenous language and culture.
Hours later, Mr P issued an apology on social media, saying his comment had offended some people and that he took responsibility for how it was received. He, however, insisted that he did not hate Nigerian languages or culture and that his statement had been misrepresented as an attack on the Igbo language.
The singer said he was speaking generally about “Naija language” and not specifically about Igbo. He maintained that he never said he hated Igbo language or Igbo culture, accusing some people of twisting his words to create a narrative he did not intend.
But the apology quickly turned into another chapter in the brothers’ public dispute after Mr P accused Rudeboy of using the controversy to attack him again. He referenced a previous open letter in which he had accused his twin brother of trying to make fans hate him and diminish his contributions to P-Square.
Mr P said he would no longer continue to ignore what he described as repeated attacks, adding that he was ready to respond with the same energy he receives.
The exchange has again drawn attention to the troubled relationship between the Okoye brothers, whose musical partnership as P-Square once made them one of Africa’s most successful music groups.
The brothers first went their separate ways in 2017 before reuniting in 2021, raising hopes among fans that the famous group had returned permanently. However, that reconciliation collapsed again in 2024 after renewed disagreements over recognition, royalties, digital rights and their former management structure.
In August 2024, Mr P wrote an open letter to Rudeboy, accusing him of repeatedly discrediting his efforts in P-Square and claiming too much credit for the group’s success. He also challenged claims that Rudeboy wrote and sang nearly all of P-Square’s songs, arguing that the group’s success came from their combined effort and unity.
In that letter, Mr P accused his brother of belittling him, disrespecting his family and siding with their elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, during disputes over the group’s finances and royalties.
The feud later became tied to legal and financial allegations involving Jude Okoye and P-Square’s digital royalties. Peter had filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged mismanagement of royalties from the group’s catalogue, leading to a money laundering case against Jude and Northside Music Limited. Jude denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.
The dispute became more complicated after Peter alleged that Jude and Paul were linked to alleged withdrawals from P-Square funds. However, in a later court proceeding, EFCC counsel reportedly said the commission had no evidence to support Peter’s $800,000 withdrawal claim against Jude and Paul, describing it as Peter’s evidence to prove.
Although the latest controversy began as a debate over language and cultural pride, it has now reopened deeper wounds among fans who have watched the brothers move from musical dominance to repeated public disagreements.
For many Nigerians, the argument also raises a wider question about the place of indigenous languages in elite and diaspora families, especially at a time when many parents are encouraging their children to learn foreign languages for global opportunities while local languages struggle for survival at home.
Some fans have criticised Mr P for speaking casually about Nigerian languages in a way they considered dismissive, while others said his apology should be accepted since he clarified that he did not intend to insult Igbo language or Nigerian culture.
Rudeboy’s post, on the other hand, has been praised by supporters who say it reflects the importance of cultural identity, language preservation and pride in one’s roots.
The renewed exchange between the brothers has left many fans disappointed, with some urging both artistes to stop making their disagreements public and protect the legacy of P-Square, while others say the latest incident shows that the rift between them remains far from healed.
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