Nigerian comedian and actor Okey Bakassi has dismissed reports claiming that his marriage to his wife, Ezinne, is experiencing difficulties, describing the publication as false and disrespectful to his family.
The rumours emerged on Monday after an X user, Yabgmi, shared a video of the entertainer discussing his preferred presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 election but attached a different claim to it.
The accompanying caption alleged that Bakassi had spent 15 years working and sending money abroad to support his wife’s nursing education in the United States before she recently asked him for a divorce.
“My kids went with my wife when she went to nursing school in the United States. I was earning in Naira while paying her fees abroad. I have spent fifteen years working and sending money overseas,” the caption read.
It further claimed that Bakassi’s wife had told him that their prolonged separation meant they no longer had a marriage.
“What’s the issue now? My wife called last week and asked for a divorce. She said, ‘We don’t even really have a marriage anymore because we have been apart for over a decade,’” the post stated.
Reacting in a video shared on Instagram, Bakassi described the report as “disrespectful and disturbing”, insisting that his wife neither lives in the United States nor works as a nurse.
He also confirmed that they remained together, adding that they had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Canada.
“I’m here this evening because of something that is far more disturbing and disrespectful. While I was on set today, filming a new movie with my colleagues, someone was busy on social media trying to disrespect me and my family,” he said.
The comedian accused the individual behind the post of using his name and photograph to spread false information about his marriage, adding that the report had prompted calls from concerned relatives, friends and fans.
“One idiot, one charlatan, went on social media and created an article with my name and my picture, alleging that my wife and I have gone our separate ways. Since then, friends, family and fans have been calling me from all over the world, as well as calling my wife with this troubling news,” he said.
Prompt News reports Bakassi reassured those concerned about his family that there was no separation between him and his wife.
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“Please, let me say this to our friends, family and fans: my wife and I are still together. God forbid anything should ever happen to us. If you know me very well, you know that the most important things to me are my wife, my family and the children God has blessed us with,” he said.
He reiterated that the couple had recently marked 25 years of marriage, dismissing the claims about his wife’s alleged nursing career and residence in America.
“My wife and I, to the glory of God, just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in Canada. For those of you who are close to me, you know that my wife does not live in the United States and that she isn’t a nurse, contrary to what the author of that article claimed,” he added.
The actor said the incident had also shown him who genuinely cared about him and his family, criticising those who circulated the report without first confirming its authenticity.
“Opportunities like this allow us to know those who truly care about us because some of you saw that fake news and went ahead to spread it instead of reaching out to me or a member of my family to confirm whether it was true. I see you all. I see you all,” he said.
He subsequently appealed to fans and family friends who encountered the post to report the account responsible for publishing it on X.
“So, please, if you saw that article, one thing you can do for me, if you are a family friend or a fan, is to go back to the source of that fake news. Go to their page on Twitter and report it for violation. Report the page for the disrespect and pain it is trying to cause my family. At least, that is the least you can do,” he said.
Bakassi also expressed appreciation to those who contacted him to verify the report and offered support to his family.
“I appreciate all of you. We will never be free of enemies like these, people who don’t want to celebrate us but are out to create fake news to disrupt the lives of people they have not helped.
“Thank you very much for all your support and understanding. I promise you that my wife and I are okay,” he added.
To further address the speculation, the comedian shared footage from the couple’s 25th wedding anniversary celebration, featuring moments with his family.
Okey Bakassi and Ezinne have three children together: two daughters and a son.
