By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde
After a recent viral video featuring Fatai Odunsi, a man claiming to be the father of popular Nigerian artist Asake, Asake finally responded with a song
In the initial video, Odunsi alleges that Asake has abandoned him, despite his deteriorating health since 2022. He pleads for financial assistance, stating that Asake has not been supportive.
Asake responded with a song, singing in Yoruba, “You can’t please the world. Whatever you do, do it for God and always remember the day you’ll die and meet your God. My people, can you see how it’s going? Even my father wants to cajole me, but I stand firm and they can’t off my light. I used to press money for him and I do it with one mind. If you strike, I will move on. No one can quench my fire. God is the one that is taking me ahead in life.”
A showbiz personality, who chose to remain anonymous, supported Odunsi’s claims, stating that Asake has not been caring for his father. The source revealed that Asake has a child who has been under his father’s care since birth and that the child recently turned a year older.
Asake’s ex-manager, Tunde Phoenix, also joined in on the controversy, criticizing Asake’s alleged abandonment of his father. Phoenix wrote, “Operation GoFundMe for your favorite’s Papa. Please help us find that old man, his seed won’t listen. He abandons people who have helped him. Even if they left you, should you act like them when God has blessed you beyond your wildest dreams? A heart of a man reveals all you need to know. Please find Papa, let’s get him the help he needs. These children have the audacity.”
In another post, Phoenix further condemned Asake’s actions, saying, “One by one, God will show you who they are. Not my words anymore. Go and pick Papi up. We don’t care if he left as a child, in fact, I believe that man over anything you will say. If you don’t, we will handle your responsibilities for you and do a full interview with him to give us all the truths the masses want to know. You are a public figure. Get PR girl, put a statement together or I will. PS: PR girl is a vibe. Love her, I would definitely date her, she has a good heart but keeps bad company.”
The controversy has led to heated debates online, with many Nigerians sharing their perspectives. Sulaimon Alade, who claimed to be Asake’s former teacher, shared his account of Asake’s childhood, stating that his father took good care of him as a single parent. Adetola Adunade Oso also supported Alade’s statements, sharing his own experience working with Asake’s father at the Lagos Island Local Government.
