Mathew Amaechi
The long-standing rift within the prominent Okoye family has dramatically resurfaced, as Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, one half of the defunct PSquare duo, unleashed a scathing rebuke against his elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye. The heated exchange erupted after Jude posted a cryptic message on Instagram, leading to a fiery public confrontation.
Jude Okoye took to Instagram with a pointed message that many believed was directed at his past collaborators, including his younger brothers. Without explicitly naming anyone, he accused unnamed individuals of turning against him after achieving success through his platform. “They all have one thing in common: they were big, influential, and successful when I was shouldering them with my platform until they got greedy and wanted to eat alone and so left,” Jude wrote.
He further alleged that these individuals “never complained afterward… rather, they bragged about their ‘newfound freedom’… Years down the line they fell off… instead of accepting responsibility… they are pointing fingers at the same person they left for their ‘freedom’.” Jude also claimed attempts to “blackmail” him, citing false allegations of money laundering and fraud designed to get him jailed.
However, Peter Okoye was quick to respond, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to vehemently refute his elder brother’s claims and question his motives. “JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE OLDER, DOESN’T MEAN YOU DESERVE RESPECT. RESPECT IS EARNED, NOT GIVEN,” Peter began his scathing thread.
He directly addressed Jude’s alleged desire for his financial downfall, stating, “Calling me broke or wishing I was broke has been your wish. These are the exact same words you told the EFCC officials. And you ended up getting locked up in prison. Of course, you have to come up with another narrative.”
Peter also challenged Jude’s assertion that he “shouldered” his career. “You were shouldering who? Agbaya, you were employed as a manager by Peter and Paul and you got sacked the same as the other two managers before you. Period!” he declared.
The singer further asserted that his solo career has been more financially and personally rewarding than the PSquare era, even with the three-way split of income that included himself, his twin brother Paul, and Jude. “This solo journey has been a blessing—more rewarding and profitable, both financially and personally, no doubt. And it has also brought me peace of mind,” he wrote.
Peter also hinted at ongoing legal battles, posing a direct question to Jude: “Despite the fact we are in court! You still haven’t answered the question, ARE YOU A THIEF OR NOT? Ndi ori.”
He concluded his fiery remarks with a powerful declaration of self-respect and a warning: “I have stopped playing nice and being the mature one while getting disrespected! … Life isn’t about begging people for fair treatment! It’s about matching energy… Tit for tat!”
This latest public spat adds another chapter to the long-standing tensions within the Okoye family, which significantly contributed to the initial dissolution of PSquare in 2017. While Peter and Paul briefly reconciled in 2021, the underlying issues with their elder brother Jude, who previously managed the iconic group, have clearly resurfaced, casting a shadow over any lingering hopes of complete family harmony.
