Details have emerged surrounding the refusal of renowned gospel singer, Tope Alabi, to perform at Nigerian actress Liz Anjorin’s surprise birthday party. The incident has sparked controversy after Alabi allegedly declined to leave her car upon discovering the identity of the celebrant.
A filmmaker and author, Dr. Oreofe Williams, who was privy to the situation, revealed that the contract surrounding Alabi’s appearance was less transparent than initially expected. According to Williams, Alabi and her team were not made aware of Anjorin’s involvement until they arrived at the venue.
“The celebrant’s identity was kept hidden from Tope Alabi and her team, who were led to believe they were performing for a person unknown to them,” Williams said in a statement. “It was only when they arrived at the venue that Tope Alabi realized it was Liz Anjorin’s event.”
Upon this revelation, Alabi reportedly chose not to exit her car, citing personal reasons for her decision to refrain from performing. Williams further explained that despite the agreement being made for a surprise performance, the amount paid for the event was reduced after intervention from Soji Alabi, who agreed to a 70% discount.
“Uncle Soji informed me that the amount initially agreed for the performance was low for a birthday surprise, but I prevailed upon him to honor my request,” Williams said. “In the end, the payment of N2.5 million was made in three installments, not N3.5 million as some reports suggest.”
Following the incident, Alabi and her team reportedly refunded the entire sum of N2.5 million to the event organizers. Alabi’s decision to return the money and leave the venue, according to Williams, was not a result of personal animosity towards Anjorin but rather due to the lack of clarity regarding the event’s specifics and the manner in which it was orchestrated.
Reacting to the incident, Anjorin posted a video on social media, criticizing Alabi for her actions and expressing her displeasure with being “manipulated.” The actress also released payment receipts to the public, stating she would not be intimidated by the situation.
Dr. Williams added that it was unfortunate that Alabi and her team had been misled about the celebrant’s identity, thus disrupting the performance arrangement. He stressed the importance of integrity and transparency in business dealings, especially in the entertainment industry.
This turn of events has raised questions about the professionalism and communication between event organizers and the performers, highlighting the challenges faced in the entertainment industry when proper protocols are not followed.
