- Asake's alleged father, Fatai Odunsi, accused the singer of neglect during his health crisis, pleading for financial help in a viral video
- He revealed that he last saw his son three years ago, but a leaked chat has added to the controversy, revealing Odunsi begging his estranged wife for direct financial assistance from Asake for his house rent
- Reactions from netizens are divided, some defended Odunsi as a responsible father, while others criticised him for being entitled
A viral video has stirred controversy after Fatai Odunsi, who claims to be the father of Nigerian singer Asake, accused the artiste of neglect on Friday, March 14.
In the video, Odunsi, who is battling a partial stroke, pleaded for financial assistance from Nigerians to cover his medical treatment expenses.
"I'm the one that gave birth to Ahmed Asake the singer. The last time I set my eyes on him was March 2022 when my sickness started. If I called Asake, he wouldn't pick. Please help me, it is your help that I need."
Shortly after the video surfaced, a leaked chat allegedly showed Odunsi begging his estranged wife to ask Asake for direct financial support to pay his rent.
The message read:
“Hello, Ramadan Mubarak. You will witness many more Ramadans. Please help me talk to Hamed, I want to pay my house rent, I don't have any money. Please help me talk to him.
“All might Allah will answer your prayers. Forgive me I won't to pay for terrapiss hospital bill I no have any money please all might Allah will answer your prayers More saanun me forgive me please am begging you in the name of God please.”
This revelation had attracted reactions from netizens, as some have called out Odunsi for being entitled and an absent father who wants to enjoy the benefits of Asake’s success. Close acquaintances have responded in defence of Odunsi, testifying that he was a responsible father.
Sulaimon Alade, who claimed to be Asake's primary school teacher, wrote:
"I was Ashake's teacher when he was in Nursery... His father takes good care of him as a single father. He dropped him off in school every morning. I swear with Quran.”
Another user, Adetola Adunade Oso, confirmed Alade's statement, saying:
"Sulaimon Alade Fact. Malo took care of Ahmed (Asake). He never lacked in his responsibility as a father to him. “We both worked with the Lagos Island Local Government, though in different departments but enjoyed cordial relationship till i retired from service in 2022. I can't believe Ahmed could neglect his daddy in this state. I pray the Almighty Allah restore his health. So sad.”
The controversy continues to draw mixed reactions, with many weighing in on the situation.
As of the time of this report, Asake has not responded to the allegations.
Netizens react to Odunsi’s plea
Here are some reactions below,
@thefirstladyomorewa commented: “Until you hear from Asake himself, don't judge because we don't live with them, he's a grown up and he knows what father means in one's life, a good and dedicated father will always enjoy his children no matter how the mother tried to poison his or her mind.. If he was there for him, he can't ignore him.”
@ola_jumokhe commented: “Nursery na only part of kid life una dey ment.”
@fisayo_harike commented: “My father neglected me but guess what I still love him till he passed on I don't want him to die I miss him every day.”
@irenic10 commented: “Men Ain't Loved.”
@man.billionz commented: “My father always dey act good wen strangers dey, e go dey do wetin him no dey do before but for inside we know am well, everybody go think say na very good man, him fit spend money for burial ground and other party places but e go complain say money no dey, Wen him don old eh all those friends wey e dey flex with nai go help am bcus i no go ever help am wen him old, the suffer wey him go suffer for future dey come, Him make life hard for me, thank God say God dey merciful to me if not i for don kpai of depression.”
@iamjdcent commented: “My father left my mom with 2 sons, I and my kid bro, I was 3 and he was 9month old when he left, never saw him till I was like 20yrs mom carried the responsibility alone, but today we are good friends and I even gave him a car bcuz, he can't walk well again, no be ontop my head cause go start, I have a son too and I don't pray he neglect me in future.”
@olumidespaggie commented: “That na why I don dey use love manipulate my children now, if my wife buy meat pie come from work for dem, me sef I go buy pizza come, if she buy toy car come, I buy toy aeroplane. Make dem no say me sef no small.”
@ceelestine commented: “The mama go don tell am different stories wey go make am hate hin papa, e no go pass that one.”
@loluchocol8 commented: “So because he drops him in school every morning makes him a good father pls who should he drop? That's even the bare minimum a father should do Emotional blackmail Do you hear people praising mothers for dropping their kid(s) up in school every morning? Let's stop all these stories that touch, only God knows the truth yenyenyenyen... rubbish!”
@allaboutbuildingandcars commented: “Your father is your father no matter what, some are crying inside because they have no father.”
@chi_me zie commented: “Na papa way abandon us for childhood we Dey abandon for Adulthood.”
@grandstyl2 commented: “Dear God that money which I will have thereby forgetting my family please don't let me have it.”
@magichands_wellness commented: All these st*upid emotional blackmail deadbeat parents use ehn. If he wasn't successful would you be here ranting?”
@kadi_existxx commented: "I swear I no go dull Wetin mama go chop" So no be joke? True, true na only mama he dey hustle for.”
@ubigho_omena commented: “Moral lessons to fathers always be in your kids life no matter what happens... Take care of your children can take care of you in return.”
Asake, Eva Apio spark dating rumours, netizens react
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Nigerian singer Asake and Uganda model Eva were spotted for the second time in Paris.
The duo stepped out in matching outfits to a fashion show. Pictures of them on social media have sparked dating rumours, generating reactions.