By Maame Yaa Adu-Nketia
In a surprising development, Paul Okoye, known as Rudeboy, has announced that the popular Nigerian music duo P-Square has split once again. This comes just over two years after their much-anticipated reunion in 2021.
P-Square, consisting of twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye, initially split in 2017 after dominating the African music scene for over a decade. Their separation was marked by public controversies and a prolonged rift that left fans and colleagues alike disheartened. During their time apart, Paul, performing as Rudeboy, released tracks like “Fire Fire” and “Nkenji Keke,” while Peter, under the name Mr P, put out hits such as “For My Head” and “Cool It Down.”
Their reunion in November 2021, highlighted by a performance at the Sierra Leone National Stadium in Freetown, rekindled hope among fans for a lasting collaboration. However, Paul revealed in a recent City FM interview that P-Square is officially over. He cited unresolved issues and the influence of external factors as reasons for the split.
“No, P-Square is no more,” Paul stated. “I didn’t want to say anything before, but things have changed. For me, it’s all about Rudeboy now. There were critical elements causing problems, and the public often blamed our elder brother, Jude Okoye. He wasn’t even involved when we reunited; there was no manager or director. He was doing his own thing.”
Paul also emphasized the importance of being cautious about whom you let into your inner circle. “There’s a lot people don’t know. Be mindful of who you bring close, especially those who weren’t there when you started. They might start planting seeds of doubt.”
Reflecting on their history, Paul disclosed that their issues began in 2014 with the release of “Ejeajo,” a collaboration with American rapper T.I. Misconceptions about their roles within the group led to tensions. “People started questioning who was the singer and who was the dancer, which created a divide. We tried to address it, but it affected us deeply,” he explained.
Despite their efforts to balance their contributions after reuniting, Paul felt the strain. “When we came back together, I suggested we split our songs equally to keep that P-Square touch. But it didn’t work out.”
Paul also accused Peter of filing a complaint with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging financial misconduct. Paul was eventually cleared of all charges but expressed disappointment over Peter’s refusal to apologize.
As of now, Peter has not responded to Paul’s claims. Meanwhile, Paul continues to focus on his solo career, with over 200 unreleased songs waiting for the right moment.
This latest split leaves fans questioning the future of P-Square and the possibility of yet another reconciliation in the years to come.
Source: Premium Times (Abuja, Nigeria), Global African Times Magazine
