Tope Alabi Breaks Silence on Marriage Controversy, Says Ex Never Paid Bride Price

|By Queen Banigo

Renowned Nigerian gospel singer Tope Alabi has spoken publicly for the first time about her past relationship with Lekan Olaoye — the father of her first child — dismissing claims that the relationship ever amounted to a legal or traditional marriage.

Alabi, who is now married to music producer Soji Alabi, clarified in a recent Facebook video that Olaoye never introduced his family to hers nor performed any traditional rites before she moved in with him years ago. She noted that her decision at the time was driven by emotional pressure and family expectations.

“I started living with him, thinking there was no point going back to where my family was pressuring me to marry at all costs,” she said. “But my father kept warning me — he never met him nor any of his family members.”

The gospel icon narrated how her ex only showed up once with work colleagues but still failed to take any meaningful step toward formalizing their union.

“My family asked when his family would come for the introduction. All he said was ‘okay’ — but that ‘okay’ never came,” she added. “Now, I don’t even need his ‘okay’ anymore.”

Her clarification comes months after social media backlash over her decision not to invite Olaoye to their daughter Ayomikun’s wedding and for allowing the young lady to bear her current husband’s surname.

Alabi used the moment to caution young women against emotional vulnerability in relationships.

“When a man sees that you are gullible or vulnerable, he can take advantage of you,” she warned.