Peter Okoye Dismisses Backlash Over Decision to Reschedule Birthday Celebration

Singer Peter Okoye (Mr P) reacts to the "outrage" over moving his birthday to Nov 30. Read his response to critics and the latest on the P-Square family tension.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 8:03 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Nation Newspaper

A Shift in Tradition Sparks Social Media Debate

The Nigerian entertainment space has been abuzz following an unconventional announcement by Peter Okoye, one-half of the renowned but currently fractured duo P-Square. On Monday, April 20, 2026, the singer informed his followers that he would no longer observe November 18 as his birthday, officially moving his celebration to November 30. He explicitly stated that he would not accept messages, gifts, or recognition on the original date, characterizing the move as a deeply personal decision.

Okoye Compares Backlash to Religious Debates

The announcement was met with a surprising wave of criticism and confusion on social media, prompting Okoye to issue a sharp rebuttal on Tuesday via his X (formerly Twitter) account. The singer expressed bewilderment at the level of outrage, comparing the public's reaction to historical debates regarding the date of Christmas. “Una dey vex like say I cancel Christmas?” he wrote, questioning why a change to his personal calendar was causing such widespread discomfort among strangers.

Focusing on National Issues vs. Celebrity Lifestyle

In his response, Okoye highlighted what he perceives as a misplacement of priorities among Nigerian social media users. He noted that the fervor surrounding his birthday shift appeared to outweigh the collective focus on the country’s significant real-world problems. By telling critics not to "cry more than the bereaved," he urged a refocusing of public energy toward national development rather than the lifestyle choices of public figures. He capped his response by stating that his established success remains unaffected by online insults.