Controversial gospel music singer, Tope Alabi, has tendered an apology for remarks she made at a concert about Adeyinka Alaseyori’s version of the popular hit song, ‘Oniduro Mi’ (My Guarantor).
This came days after she had curiously declared, in a video that went viral, that God isn’t her guarantor because He is more than a guarantor.
Alabi, who spoke in Yoruba, had also claimed that if Alaseyori had released the song from the Holy Spirit’s leading, she would have understood that God is more than a guarantor and not ascribe such appellation to him.
But her criticism of the 2020 hit gospel song did not go down well with music lovers and celebrities who took to social media platforms to defend Alaseyori and the propriety of the song. They accused Alabi of being “petty” and “envious”.
Fellow gospel artistes and celebrities like Sola Allyson, Lanre Teriba, Anita Joseph, Slim Case and a host of others also weighed in on the issue.
But in a terse statement that surfaced on social media last week credited to her, Tope Alabi expressed remorse for her remarks.
“I’m not a perfect person yet, I’m still a work in progress in the hands of God. I want people to see me as a mere mortal with my own weaknesses, human frailties and as a learner in the limitless knowledge of God.
“I am who I am today only by the mercy of God and the support of millions of gospel music lovers. I have no support base elsewhere outside the awesome Nigerians who feel uncomfortable with my statement.
“I see the depth of anger as the measure of their love, admiration and solid support for me and for all of us in the singing ministry.
“Let me acknowledge that my mistake was that I externalised a personal message in public; and I’m awfully sorry for doing that.”
Alabi had also joined an Instagram Live ministration by Alaseyori, ostensibly to ‘mend fences’ and prepare her grounds for an apology and reconciliation.
In all these, Alaseyori had maintain dignified silence, and has continued to refer to Alabi as her “mother.” In her only public reaction to the issue last week, Alaseyori, a mother of one, sued for peace while appealing to her fans to sheath their swords and allow God to take control.
In one of her ministrations, she said, “Let Jesus take the wheel.”
She added: “Mummy Tope Alabi is our mother. She is a mother to me and so many and by virtue, we have been blessed by her ministry.
“Please let us worship God, let us celebrate God, let Jesus be at the centre of it all.”
Some gospel music fans on Facebook have however reacted to Alabi’s apology. While some lauded what they described as her “humility”, others stated that it is a tongue-in-cheek attempt in admitting that she goofed.
Abosede Adeyinka-Asabazele wrote: “As long as God is not her Oniduro, no apology. The statement even has the tone of arrogance. What are we saying.l? Seems she was forced to say this.”
Another user, Alexander Melaye wrote: “Water under the bridge. Things can never be the same between them and also her image will remain battered for as long as she lives. This story or mistake will never go away, thanks to social media. It is here to stay. The apology sounds somehow because she really did not say she made a mistake. She said she externalised a personal message in public. So what that meant is simple that she stands by her story. So where is the apology?”
“I love this and this was what I prayed for. That God should humble you so as to apologize and allow Holy Spirit to have His way. Shame to the devil because he will always fail. More anointing ma”, Ariyo Abimbola Akomolehin wrote.
Similarly, Olajuwon Omoboriowo posted: “Well, wonderful acknowledgement. I can see your humble being. It takes the grace of God for a person of this status to humble herself this way. For you to come out to do this. Ma, The Almighty God will not leave you. This is what God wants from us. He knew that we are incomplete BEINGS.”
