Entertainment

Why Tope Alabi Refused To Perform At Lizzy Anjorin’s Surprise Party – Oreofe Williams

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedApril 5, 2025

Social media has been buzzing with claims that gospel singer, Tope Alabi, collected N3.5 million to perform at actress Lizzy Anjorin’s birthday but backed out at the last minute after discovering who the celebrant was.

But a new account by Nigerian filmmaker and author, Dr Oreofe Williams, tells a different story—one of miscommunication, withheld information, and a refund of the actual N2.5 million paid.

Williams, who facilitated the arrangement, said in a Facebook post on Saturday, that he was approached weeks ago by a filmmaker who wanted Tope Alabi to surprise someone he “cherishes a lot.”

According to him, no name was mentioned, and the impression given was that it was a personal gesture funded by the organiser.

He explained that he contacted Soji Alabi, Tope’s husband and manager, who agreed to the performance after slashing their fee by 70% out of respect for Williams.

Despite the arrangement, Williams noted that the identity of the celebrant remained hidden until the Alabis got to the venue and discovered it was Lizzy Anjorin.

At that point, Soji Alabi called him and made it clear they were leaving because they felt misled.

“Sincerely speaking, I would never have spent the next 15 seconds there if I was in his position,” Williams said.

He clarified that the issue had nothing to do with Lizzy Anjorin or the guests, but with the deliberate concealment of her identity, which denied the Alabis the right to choose whether to attend.

He stated, “They felt deceived and were not given the endeared privilege of a choice by conscience.”

Williams further confirmed that N2.5 million was the correct figure—not N3.5 million as widely reported—and that it was paid in three instalments and refunded instantly.

He added that Tope Alabi has a track record of honouring invitations from both Christians and Muslims and that the incident was a breach of trust, not a case of discrimination.

“You don’t ask a singer to ‘surprise’ a public figure only to keep the celebrant anonymous and eventually ‘surprise’ the ‘surpriser’ at the venue. You will be more surprised,” he wrote.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.