Nigerian music star Peter Okoye, one half of the former duo P-Square, has responded to criticism over his decision to change the date he marks his birthday, describing the backlash as unnecessary.

Okoye recently announced that he would no longer celebrate his birthday on November 18, stating instead that he would now observe it on November 30, a personal decision he said should not attract public controversy.

In a follow-up post on Tuesday via X, the singer expressed surprise at the reaction, noting that the change was purely personal and not intended to affect anyone else.

“Una dey vex like say I cancel Christmas? Na my birthday date I move… no be your own, why e dey pain you?” he wrote.

He further downplayed the criticism by comparing the debate to long-standing global disagreements over historical dates, including discussions around the exact birth date of Jesus Christ.

“Even Jesus Christ December 25th date sef, people still dey debate am. Why cry more than the bereaved? Only in Nigeria,” he added.

Okoye also suggested that the attention given to the issue was disproportionate, arguing that it distracts from more serious national challenges.

“Funny how my birthday date shift is causing more pain than Nigeria’s real problems,” he wrote, adding: “Insult no dey reduce success. Who don make am, don make am! Know that and know peace.”

Peter Okoye rose to fame alongside his twin brother, Paul Okoye, as part of P-Square, one of Africa’s most successful music groups in the 2000s and early 2010s.

The duo later split in 2017 after years of reported disagreements over management, royalties, and creative control, following earlier tensions involving their elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye.

They reunited in 2021 to the excitement of fans and released new music together, though subsequent reports indicated that internal disputes over financial and managerial issues have continued to surface intermittently.