By Dansu Peter New revelations have shed light on why renowned gospel singer, Evangelist Tope Alabi, made a last-minute U-turn and refused ...
By Dansu Peter
Contrary to public assumptions, the issue wasn't about religious bias or animosity—it was about principle and deception, report by The Nation says
According to filmmaker and author, Dr. Oreofe Williams, who was involved in brokering the appearance, Tope Alabi and her husband, Soji Alabi, were kept in the dark about the identity of the celebrant. The engagement, he revealed, was secured under the guise of a surprise performance for an unnamed “cherished individual.” No mention of Liz Anjorin was made until the Alabis arrived at the venue.
The singer reportedly declined to even step out of her car after discovering that the event was in honor of Liz Anjorin. She cited personal reasons and chose to quietly exit the scene without making a fuss. Shortly after, the full payment—N2.5 million, not the widely speculated N3.5 million—was refunded in full.
Dr. Williams, who expressed regret over the incident, described it as an “unfortunate conundrum.” He emphasized that Tope and Soji Alabi had agreed to a 70% discount on their usual fee, solely because of his personal appeal and the assumption that the performance was a private, sincere gesture from a filmmaker to a loved one.
“The real issue,” Dr. Williams said, “was not about who the celebrant turned out to be, but the fact that her identity was intentionally withheld. The Alabis felt misled. They were not given the privilege of making a conscience-based decision.”
He added that the gospel couple has performed for fans across religious and cultural divides in the past, and would never decline an engagement based on religion or tribe.
In a video posted after the incident, Liz Anjorin criticized Tope Alabi for failing to perform, claiming she “could not be bullied.” She also released screenshots showing evidence of the payment. But according to Dr. Williams, the decision to leave was grounded in ethics—not ego.
“You don’t surprise a singer by hiding the identity of a public figure, only to ‘surprise the surpriser’ at the venue,” Dr. Williams remarked. “The Alabis acted based on integrity. They felt deceived. And no one, gospel minister or not, wants to be part of a setup.”
This incident, while now public, points to a deeper conversation in the entertainment world about transparency, trust, and the rights of artists to make informed decisions.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: what happened that night was not just a no-show—it was a principled stand cloaked in silence. And now, the untold story is finally out.
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