“Settle your family matters privately,” fans react to Basketmouth's ex-wife's parenting question

• Elsie Uzoma Okpocha, Basketmouth's estranged wife, ignited a debate on social media when she asked if parents should have unrestricted access to their teenager's phone
• The comment section was filled with diverse opinions, with some arguing that parents should have access to ensure safety and well-being
• Netizens further speculated about Elsie's motives, with some thinking she still held on to hurt from her marriage with Basketmouth

Elsie Okpocha, estranged wife of celebrated Nigerian comedian Basketmouth, has stirred a heated conversation on social media after raising a thought-provoking question about parenting.

The mother of three—Janelle, Jadon, and Maya—married Basketmouth in 2010 before their marriage ended in 2022. Since the divorce, Elsie has focused on her business and largely maintained a private life. 

However, she recently took to her Instagram story @elsieckpocha  to seek answers about a contentious parenting issue. 

Elsie questioned whether it is appropriate for a parent to have unrestricted access to their 16-year-old child's phone. This inquiry quickly generated diverse reactions, with many sharing their opinion on the matter. 

Some netizens argued that parents should monitor their children’s phones to ensure their safety, while others maintained that teenagers deserve a level of privacy and autonomy. 

However, Elsie did not stop there. She asked another poignant question that seemed to hint at her own experiences with her daughter. “How are you still trying to frustrate her efforts because she has decided to be happy?” she asked, leaving many wondering if the question was directed at her ex-husband, Basketmouth.

Some netizens suggested that Elsie should focus on her family and address their issues privately. Others speculated that she is still dealing with the emotional impact of her marriage's breakdown, while some argued that she seems happy and has moved on.

As the discussion continued, netizens shared their varied opinions on Elsie's question, with some offering words of wisdom and others criticising her approach.

Meanwhile, Elsie made another post that further fueled the ongoing divorce drama speculations on social media. She expressed concern over a conversation between her 16-year-old son and his father. According to her, Basketmouth instructed their son not to share his phone password with her, prompting her to ask: “Tell me why a father should tell his son of 16yrs!!!!!!! 16!!!! not to give his mother his password??????”

Nigerians react to Elsie Okpocha's inquiry on parenting

TheRadar compiled some reactions below:

@eye_bee_halliday commented: “Not this year pls. Settle ur family ish privately”

@ovayozarh commented: “A mother has every right to go through the phone of her child so long i purchased that phone for you, and you are a teenager i would go through it”

@jernald_couture commented: “You have every right to go through your kid's phone to know when she's going astray or not.

Western world might say otherwise but it doesn't mean they're

right.

Fastest way to ruin a kid is to give he or she a free hand.”

@iamkingkhloe responded: “@eye_bee_halliday Elsie has been silent since Basket came online to announce their broken marriage, that's for almost 2 years, she moved on gracefully, so her talking now is not invalid!”

@ovayezarh commented: “A mother has every right to go through the phone of her child so long i purchased that phone for you, and you are a teenager i would go through it”

@ryan_realty_homes stated: “Definitely til she's 18”

@nonlikeray commented: “Are you indirectly saying you failed as a mother? 👀”

@ihonjeonos commented: “Na woo.... Why the man throw her out now, haba”

@yevicksventures commented: “So long you're still under my roof I'm still responsible for your well-being!”

@official teewealth commented: “Those in a happy family, Thank God cos you don't know what God has done for you”

@freddy_ex commented: “Have a one on one conversation with your child instead of using emotional blackmail for the child which makes it worse, Parenting is way beyond paying fees, providing for them all their needs, taking them out.....it's way beyond that. Some children can't even sit with their parents alone for 2 minutes”

@chiwendut posted: “You people don't have elders in your families. Please settle family issues off the internet!.”

@uk_errand_guru commented: “You should share same ICloud with your child till they are 18. Simple. If they don't want then let them buy thier phone themselves when they start working.”

@symply_beautiana commented: “Kudos to all mothers and fathers who are doing their best to raise their children well so the we upcoming parents have a good society for our children to thrive, But if you have child that is going to cause trouble in the society in the future, train them well o cos…”

@ai_wa commented: “If anyone is frustrating her efforts, she should talk to the person directly abeg. This year don't stress us”

@geneva_amaka: “My kid is not 16 yet but I know I'm not letting her have a phone at 16. Do what works for you”

Basketmouth’s subtle support of polygamy with biblical references causes controversy online

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the comedian, also an actor and musician, posted on his official Instagram page on July 16 highlighting biblical examples men should consider. 

Via his Instagram story, Basketmouth compared notable Bible characters who had one wife but later betrayed God. On the other hand, the ones with multiple wives were more steadfast in their faith.