Popular comedian and Nollywood actor Okey Bakassi has denied viral reports that his marriage has collapsed, insisting that he and his wife are still together. He described the story as fake news and an attempt to disrespect him and his family.
The report alleged that his wife had moved to the United States to study nursing while he stayed in Nigeria, working and sending money to support her education for 15 years, before she allegedly asked for a divorce.
“We are still together”
In a video message, Bakassi said the claims were entirely false. He explained that the controversy began after a video he made about Nigerian politics was taken out of context and given a misleading narrative.
According to him, the false report triggered calls from friends, family members and fans around the world, who wanted to confirm the state of his marriage. He said he learned about the story while on set filming a new movie.
“Someone went on social media and created an article with my name, my picture and that of my wife, alleging that we have gone our separate ways,” he said. “Please, let me say to our friends, family and fans, my wife and I, we are still together. God forbid anything will ever happen to us.”
Wife lives in Canada, not the US
Bakassi also faulted details of the report. He said his wife lives in Canada, not the United States, and is not a nurse. He added that the couple recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Canada, and described his wife and children as the most important people in his life.
He criticised those who shared the story without trying to verify it, and urged friends, family and fans to report the account that circulated the claims. The experience, he said, showed him who genuinely cares about him, as some people spread the report rather than contacting him or his family.
The political video behind the controversy
The controversy followed a separate video in which Bakassi spoke about his voting choices and the need for good leadership in Nigeria. He recalled backing candidates from different parts of the country over the years, including the late Moshood Abiola, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
He said he supported Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election not merely to balance political representation among Nigeria’s regions, but because he considered him the best candidate to move the country forward. Bakassi added that his preference for the 2027 election remains Obi, while acknowledging that Nigerians are free to make their own choices. “Your own choice is yours,” he said.