Kenny and Nelson, Abuja
Without mincing words, the concept of marriage is always believed to be a union that every intending couple should look forward to.
However, reverse has become the case considering the high rate of marriage crashes most especially among Nigerian Celebrities.
While the country continues to battle with social, political, economic, educational and religious woes to mention but a few, breakups in relationships and marriages is gradually taking a center stage in the country.
Sadly, Nigerians celebrities whom thousands of followers idolizes are not left out in this mess, their marriages and wedding ceremony hardly go unnoticed, characterized by colors, top-notches, class, glitz and glamour, but only a handful could stand the God ordained union, Marriage.
The social media space recently went agog following news of the break up between actress Funke Akindele popularly know as ‘jenifa’ and her husband Abdulrasheed Bello aka ‘JJC Skillz’,.
Rumors of their Rocky relationship started brewing when Benito, the teenage son of JJC Skillz from one of his 3 baby Mama’s alleged that all was not well between his father and the actress.
According to him, both his father and Funke Akindele had cheated on each other. He had this to say on his Instagram, “Funke accuses everyone of dating my dad, but your beloved (Funke) had cheated on my dad. My dad cheated too”
“They do not sleep in the same room, infact they had not slept in the same room for two years”
When Benito made these allegations, Funke Akindele and her husband took to social media to deny it. They claimed they were living peacefully.
However, recent happenings have shown that the boy may have been right all along.
Their marriage quagmire puts Funke and her husband among a long list of Nigerian celebrities whose marriages or relationships have been broken.
The list is so long that this article focuses only on the more recent ones. The celebrities discussed below have had marriages issues and breakups which shocked Nigerians.
Tonto Dikeh and Olakunlue Churchill/Prince Kpokpogiri*
Nigerian actress and businesswoman Tonto Dikeh has had a lot of messy relationships.
In 2017 she divorced her first husband Olakunlue Churchill after a messy separation that involved social media name calling, claims of domestic violence and infidelity.
After their separation, Olakunlue Churchill remarried while Tonto in 2021 revealed she was in a relationship with Abuja activist Prince Kpokpogiri.
However, in September of 2021, Tonto Dike and Prince Kpokpogiri had their relationship crashing with Prince accusing her of been overbearing, high tempered and a control freak.
He made a post where he called her ‘Helen of Troy’ and praised her former husband for being a man. The relationship ended before the end of 2021.
David Adeleke ‘Davido’ and Chioma Avril
The internet celebrated when Davido revealed in 2018 that his love interest was fellow Babcock University Alumina Chioma Avril.
In 2019, he released a hit song titled assurance which featured her in the video.
That same year, Chioma said yes after Davido asked her to be his wife.
They however separated in 2021 after it was alleged that Davido was cheating on her with an Instagram model named ‘Myra Yafai’. They called off their wedding and ended their relationship that year.
Nkechi Blessing and Opeyemi Falegan
Nkechi Blessing a Nollywood actress and film producer know for producing the popular movie ‘Omoege Lekki’ in April 2022 announced she had separated with her husband, the Ekiti politician Opeyemi Falegan.
Nkechi made a video where she accused her husband of being jobless, lazy, living off her and using her name to seek favours.
The husband on his cited her hygiene as the reason for their break-up.
Yul Edochie and May Edochie*
Though they are not officially separated, Nigerians were shocked when beloved actor Yul Edochie announced that he had married actress Judy Austin as his second wife.
Also, more shock came after he took to social media to celebrate his second wife bearing him a son.
His first wife of 17 years May Edochie took to social media and prayed for God’s judgement upon the new couple. She also said that her faith does not support polygamy. Many people have speculated that they would soon be divorced though that has not happened yet.
A lot of people look at celebrities as icons and role models so their constant relationship woes is a source of concern to many Nigerians.
Some have wondered what the reason might be, while others are saying that the situation will have a negative effect on the social behavior of the nation.
Many people who look up to celebrities might now think that failed marriages are the norm and is acceptable in the society.
There is no gainsaying that wealth, fame, riches and affluence is taking a larger role in ego of our celebrities, Nigerians do pass through this ills, but are not heard of due to lack of Fame.
I continue to wonder why we still continue to celebrate celebrities with failed marriages who we look up to as role model or we idolize.
