More public figures are calling for peace between P-Square twins Peter and Paul Okoye as their family dispute with elder brother Jude Okoye continues to draw national attention.
Social media activist VeryDarkMan, known as VDM, announced on Sunday, August 9, that he was stepping back from commenting on the feud. In a video posted to Instagram, he assigned 40 percent of the blame to Jude Okoye for refusing to step down as the group’s manager, and split the remaining 60 percent between Peter Okoye, his wife, and others connected to the matter. He also denied that Peter had confided in him privately, saying his comments were based only on what was already public.
Ghanaian actor Frank Artus responded directly to VDM in his own video, also posted August 9, urging the activist to stay out of the Okoye family’s affairs. “As long as it comes to the Okoye family, stay off it,” Artus said, adding that VDM had already made his points and should let fans judge the matter for themselves.
Singer D’Banj said he spoke with Peter Okoye during a flight last week and came away worried about the state of the relationship between the brothers. Speaking on the Adesope Live podcast on Friday, August 7, he said he told Peter there was still time to fix things. “I am so sure that if we sit down, there’s still a chance,” he said.
D’Banj argued that the P-Square music catalog holds too much value to lose to a family dispute. He said he has kept his own catalog for over a decade because of its long-term worth, and suggested the twins could reach a formal agreement on their catalog even if they never perform together again. He also referenced a story involving footballer Jay-Jay Okocha, who lost money in a bank collapse years ago. According to D’Banj, then-President Olusegun Obasanjo intervened on Okocha’s behalf, and a similar high-level intervention, possibly through an institution such as the Bank of Industry, could help resolve the Okoye family’s financial disagreements.
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Veteran singer Daddy Showkey also criticized the brothers in an interview with Goldmyne TV, saying P-Square was the biggest music brand Africa has produced and does not belong to the twins alone. “P-Square isn’t for them alone,” he said, adding that the brothers should resolve their differences for the sake of their children.
Congolese singer Awilo Longomba had earlier urged the brothers toward reconciliation, sharing old photos of the group and calling on them to remember what family means.
Paul Okoye has also shown public support for Jude Okoye following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged fraud. Paul encouraged his elder brother to stay strong, though the message drew criticism from some fans online.
The dispute between the three Okoye brothers, which centers on management decisions and financial disagreements from P-Square’s history, shows no sign of ending soon.
