Mr P Fires Back At Fan Who Asked Him To Retire Over Age
Nigerian singer and former member of the defunct P-Square music duo, Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, has reacted strongly after a social media user suggested that he should retire from music because of his age.
The music star responded after a fan on X, formerly known as Twitter, argued that the 44-year-old entertainer was “too old” to still be making Afrobeats music and performing energetic dance routines.
The post, which quickly gained attention online, sparked widespread reactions from fans, celebrities and social media users, with many debating issues surrounding age, music and longevity in the entertainment industry.
The X user with the handle OloriOfOloris shared a clip from one of Mr P’s music videos and questioned why the singer was still actively performing at his age.
“I don’t get why an almost 50-year-old man is still singing like this. It’s okay to retire❤️,” the user wrote.
The comment immediately generated mixed reactions across social media platforms, with some users supporting the opinion while others criticized it as disrespectful and ageist.
Popular Nigerian media personality and radio host Do2dtun was among those who defended Mr P, arguing that age should not determine whether an artiste continues to create music.
Do2dtun pointed out that several globally celebrated musicians who are significantly older than Mr P remain active and successful in the entertainment industry.
According to him, international stars such as Celine Dion, Shakira, Beyoncé and the Backstreet Boys are older than the Nigerian singer yet continue to perform and release music without facing similar criticism.
“Peter is 44 but you dimwits are so ageist that you don’t even know what you bring down in the name of clicks,” Do2dtun wrote while reacting to the post.
Mr P later responded by reposting Do2dtun’s comment and accusing some critics of hypocrisy and double standards.
The singer claimed that many of the people attacking him online are disappointed supporters of the now-defunct P-Square group who continue to push negative narratives against him.
According to him, critics who insist that he should retire because of his age often celebrate older international artistes doing similar performances.
“After dem realize say all those narratives no hold water, dem come with another one: ‘Now he is too old to be singing and dancing,’” Mr P wrote.
“Meanwhile, na the same people go celebrate and hype Usher, Beyoncé, and Chris Brown for doing exactly the same thing,” he added.
The controversy has reignited conversations on social media regarding ageism within the Nigerian entertainment industry, particularly how older artistes are perceived compared to their international counterparts.
Many fans argued that music is a career driven by creativity and talent rather than age, noting that several legendary musicians around the world continue to tour and perform well into their 50s, 60s and beyond.
Others pointed out that Nigerian artistes are often unfairly pressured to step aside once they reach a certain age despite the global nature of modern music culture.
Entertainment analysts say the debate reflects changing attitudes within the Nigerian music industry, where younger artistes currently dominate mainstream Afrobeats conversations.
However, industry observers also note that experienced performers continue to command large fan bases and maintain relevance through concerts, collaborations and international performances.
Mr P remains one of Nigeria’s most recognized music stars following the success of P-Square, the iconic music group he formed with his twin brother Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy.
Before their split, P-Square dominated the African music scene for years with hit songs, energetic performances and sold-out concerts across Africa, Europe and North America.
The duo officially separated in 2017 after years of reported internal disagreements but reunited briefly in 2021 before tensions resurfaced again.
Since going solo, Mr P has continued releasing music and performing independently while also expanding into other areas of entertainment and business.
The singer has consistently maintained an active presence on social media where he frequently engages with fans and responds to trending conversations.
The latest exchange has further fueled online discussions about celebrity criticism, ageing in entertainment and societal expectations placed on public figures.
Some social media users argued that the criticism directed at Mr P reflects broader societal stereotypes surrounding ageing and creativity.
Others defended the singer’s right to continue pursuing his passion regardless of public opinion.
Meanwhile, supporters of the artiste have continued sharing messages of encouragement online, praising his consistency, fitness and contribution to the growth of Nigerian music globally.
The debate also comes at a time when Afrobeats continues gaining international recognition, with both younger and older Nigerian artistes securing global collaborations, international tours and streaming success.
Despite the criticism, Mr P appears determined to continue his music career and maintain his place within the entertainment industry.
