According to Punch, tension has erupted within the family of juju music legend, King Sunny Ade, as some of his children publicly clash over his current condition and accessibility.
The controversy was ignited after Damilola Esther, one of the singer’s daughters, accused her step-brother Dayo via social media of isolating their father and mismanaging his affairs.
She said; “Dad told my brother that he wants to go home. Where is he? Where are his phones?.”
She suggested that Dayo had been arranging performances for KSA without fulfilling obligations and alleged that he was siphoning money meant for their father. Damilola, who does not reside in Nigeria, voiced concerns over KSA’s whereabouts, noting that their father had reportedly asked to return home but had since been unreachable.
Dayo, however, countered her claims, describing them as unfounded and emotionally driven. In an interview, he clarified that King Sunny Ade remained healthy and active, recently performing at a 60th birthday celebration in Victoria Island, Lagos, and preparing for another show in Akure. He explained that he was not officially employed as KSA’s manager but was simply assisting due to the absence of one, a role his father himself had requested.
Dayo also remarked that tensions between him and Damilola escalated after she allegedly made disparaging remarks about their father, a line he said he could not tolerate. He hinted that King Sunny Ade would personally address the situation publicly to clear any doubts and even invited interested parties to witness KSA’s performance firsthand in Akure.
Backing Dayo’s position, another of King Sunny Ade’s sons, David, emphasized that their father was in good health and continued to perform willingly. He dismissed the claims of ill-treatment and stressed that there was no basis for alarm.
Despite these assurances from KSA’s sons, journalist Olawale Olaleye lent credence to Damilola’s concerns, revealing that even close associates who once had direct access to KSA could no longer reach him. Olaleye shared that he attempted multiple channels to contact the music legend but was unsuccessful, raising further questions about the unfolding situation.
