By Wilson Adekumola
Popular gospel singer and current Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Gospel Musician Association of Nigeria, Funmi Aragbaye, has criticized popular gospel singer, Tope Alabi, for her controversial use of ‘aboru aboye,’ a slang associated with the traditionalists in a newly released song, saying she behaves as if she is above everyone even God.
According to The PUNCH, Aragbaye made this criticism in an exclusive phone chat while reacting to the recent viral video of fellow gospel artiste, Tope Alabi, where she sang using Yoruba words associated with greetings by Ifa worshippers.
Controversies and criticisms had trailed Alabi’s viral video showing her singing a song in a Church using words associated with Ifa worshippers.
The veteran said, ”Tope Alabi believes she is above everyone and God. She is not a member of GOMAN, nor is she a member of any other gospel association. She believes she is too much for it. She doesn’t belong to anyone; she is neither here nor there.
“The current state of the country is why many act the way they do. People take God for granted for being so merciful. Many people today are just worshipping God with their mouths; it doesn’t come from their hearts.
“If you speak with Pastor Bola Are, she will tell you the same thing. Most people preaching do not know what they are preaching about. They emerged from nowhere onto the scene.”
Aragbaye, whose 1990’s Mo Gbo Ipe Olorun, Divine Call, was an instant hit, blamed the media for Alabi’s success, saying despite ”fumbling for many years, the media continues to promote her.”
However, it was said efforts to get Alabi’s reaction to Aragbaye’s claims proved futile as the popular gospel act ignored messages sent and had the reporter blocked on Whatsapp.
