The bitter public feud between estranged music brothers Peter and Paul Okoye may be damaging their relationship, but it is giving their music catalogue an unexpected commercial boost.
Three albums by the former P-Square duo have returned to or climbed the Nigeria Apple Music Albums Chart as fans revisit the music that made the Okoye brothers one of Africa’s biggest musical acts.
Music chart platform Album Talks HQ reported that Best of P-Square surged 87 places to number 100 on the chart.
The group’s albums Get Squared and Game Over also re-entered the chart at numbers 173 and 182 respectively.
The unusual revival comes as the brothers once again trade accusations over long-running family disagreements, prompting fans to return to the songs that defined P-Square’s peak years.
In effect, a feud that has kept the brothers apart is putting their joint musical legacy back in the spotlight.
P-Square rose to prominence in the early 2000s and went on to become one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful music groups, producing hits such as Bizzy Body, Do Me, Game Over, Alingo, Personally, No One Like You, You and Chop My Money.
Their combination of pop, R&B, dance and African rhythms earned them a huge following across Nigeria and beyond, making their eventual breakup particularly painful for many fans.
From musical partnership to family feud
The brothers first split in 2017 amid disagreements reportedly involving money, creative control and the management role of their elder brother, Jude Okoye.
After years apart, Peter and Paul reunited in 2021, triggering widespread excitement among fans who hoped the reunion would restore one of Nigeria’s most celebrated musical partnerships.
The peace did not last.
The brothers separated again in 2024, with Peter continuing his solo career as Mr P and Paul performing as Rudeboy.
Their latest disagreement has now moved beyond music, with Peter using a series of social media videos to revisit events surrounding the original breakup and other disputes within the Okoye family.
In his latest revelations, Peter alleged that their late mother, Josephine Okoye, intervened in a dispute involving him, Paul, Jude and his wife, Lola Omotayo Okoye.
Peter claimed his mother wanted Paul and Jude to apologise to him and Lola over what he described as their treatment of the couple.
He alleged that other members of the family eventually apologised but that Paul and Jude failed to do so before their mother died in 2012.
Peter also rejected claims that his mother and Lola had a poor relationship.
He recalled how Lola allegedly cared for his mother during her illness and treatment at St Nicholas Hospital in Lagos.
According to Peter, Lola prepared meals for four pastors who travelled from Jos to accompany his mother, took them to the hospital and remained involved in her care for more than two months.
He said the experience demonstrated that the relationship between his mother and Lola was much closer than some accounts of the family dispute had suggested.
Peter also revisited the events surrounding his 2013 wedding to Lola.
He alleged that Jude, then P-Square’s manager, scheduled a performance for him in Ghana on the eve of the wedding, despite knowing the importance of the ceremony.
Peter said he eventually insisted that arrangements be made for the brothers to return to Nigeria by private jet.
He further alleged that Jude did not attend the wedding and later made comments on social media that he considered deeply offensive.
Jude has not publicly responded to Peter’s latest allegations.
Paul, however, reacted to his brother’s comments about their late mother, expressing regret that she was no longer alive to respond.
“Unfortunately, you’re not here to defend yourself and us. Continue resting, mum,” Paul wrote on Instagram.
The family conflict has also become entangled in a separate legal battle involving Jude.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged Jude with money-laundering offences involving about N1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude pleaded not guilty and the case remains before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Peter testified for the prosecution during the proceedings, while Paul publicly defended their elder brother.
The case has added a legal dimension to a family dispute that has continued to generate public attention long after P-Square ceased performing together.
But while the Okoye brothers continue to disagree publicly, their music appears to be benefiting from the renewed attention.
The return of three P-Square albums to the Apple Music chart suggests that curiosity surrounding the feud is translating into renewed listening.
It also underscores the durability of the brothers’ musical legacy.
