Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has issued a public apology after his comments questioning the value of Nigerian languages sparked widespread anger online, even as he accused his twin brother Paul Okoye, better known as Rudeboy, of fanning the controversy to damage his reputation.

The saga began when the former P Square star shared a post on X celebrating his children’s fluency in French during a family visit to Paris, and mused that the experience had made him consider buying a home in the French capital.

When a fan asked whether his children could also speak Igbo, Mr P fired back with the now viral line, asking what Nigerian languages had ever done for anyone. The remark, which many read as a direct dismissal of the country’s indigenous languages, drew fierce criticism from Nigerians who accused him of turning his back on the very culture that shaped his music career.

Rather than back down immediately, Mr P initially doubled down, telling his critics to do their worst and mocking those who felt pained by his words. But by Wednesday evening, he had shifted course, posting a lengthy statement in which he took responsibility for how his comments were received.

He explained that his reference to Naija language was meant broadly, covering the many languages spoken across Nigeria, and insisted he had never singled out Igbo or expressed hatred for the language or culture associated with his own heritage. He maintained that critics had twisted his words to make it appear he was attacking Igbo specifically.

The apology, however, came with a pointed swipe at Rudeboy. Mr P accused his twin brother of repeatedly looking for opportunities to needle him publicly, claiming Rudeboy had also mocked him in the past over his dance moves at his age.

He declared that he was done playing the nice guy and would begin responding in kind whenever he felt attacked, using colourful Nigerian expressions to hammer home the point that he was ready to match whatever energy came his way.

Rudeboy, for his part, appeared to respond without naming his brother directly. Days after the controversy erupted, he took to X to declare his pride in his Igbo roots and Nigerian identity, describing himself as nobody without his culture, native language and heritage. He accompanied the message with a clip from his song Nkenji Keke, a track steeped in Igbo language and tradition.

Though he stopped short of mentioning Mr P by name, the timing of the post left many convinced it was a subtle dig at his twin, reigniting long standing speculation about tension between the once inseparable duo who rose to fame together as P Square before pursuing separate solo careers amid years of public disagreements over family and business matters.

Reactions online remain split, with some social media users defending Rudeboy’s post as simply a genuine celebration of his heritage rather than a shot at his brother, while others continue to frame it as the latest chapter in a rivalry that refuses to die down between the two.

Photo Credit: Facebook