Why sharing my November 18 birthday with Rudeboy became difficult

Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P and formerly one-half of P-Square, has explained why he stopped celebrating his birthday on November 18, the date he shares with his twin brother, Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy.

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Mr P explained the decision during an interview on the Capital XTRA Podcast.

The twin brothers were born on November 18, 1981, and traditionally celebrated their birthdays together before their relationship deteriorated.

In April, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr P announced that he would no longer accept birthday wishes or gifts on November 18. He said he would instead celebrate his birthday on November 30, describing the decision as personal.

At the time, however, the singer did not explain what informed the decision or why he selected November 30.

Why November 18 became difficult

Mr P said November 18 had become difficult because people closely monitored what he and Paul posted or said about each other on their birthdays.

“November 18th, for the past 13 years, hasn’t been a birthday that everyone can wish for themselves. November 18th is always gonna be like a moment where everybody’s looking out to see what you’re gonna post, what they’re gonna say,” he said.

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He said the situation was compounded by the fact that he and Paul live close to each other and by people moving between both sides.

“My brother is my neighbour, like I said, and people go to his side. They do a lot of gossip, and they don’t want to feel neglected,” he said.

Mr P said he wanted a birthday celebration that was personal to him and separate from his twin brother’s.

“So this one is separate. I think it’s personal to me. So if you ask me, I say, like, let me have my separate birthday,” he said.

The singer did not explain why he chose November 30 as his new celebration date.

Considering the official change

Mr P also said he had considered changing his date of birth on his official documents, including his passport, although he acknowledged that the process could take time.

“I wish I could change that on my documentation, the passport, but I know it’s gonna take a lot of time. But because maybe in the near future I might do it,” he said.

The singer’s official documents still bear November 18 as his date of birth. His decision to mark his birthday on November 30 currently applies only to the celebration.

While Mr P earlier referred to the intense attention surrounding November 18 over the past 13 years, he later described the date as a difficult one for the past 16 or 17 years.

“November 18th has not been a birthday. It has been a bad day for me for the last 16, 17 years,” he said.

P-Square feud

Mr P and Rudeboy rose to fame as P-Square, one of Africa’s most successful music groups, before separating in 2017 following disagreements over their careers, finances, and the role of their elder brother and then-manager, Jude Okoye.

The twins reconciled publicly in November 2021 and resumed performing together, but their reunion eventually collapsed. In 2024, Paul confirmed that the group had separated again.

Their renewed disagreement has included public accusations concerning the management of P-Square’s earnings and a legal dispute involving Jude.

When Mr P announced his new birthday celebration date in April, the decision attracted criticism on social media. Responding to critics, he referred to alleged betrayal within the family and said the dispute was still before the court.

Paul has not publicly announced any change to his November 18 birthday celebration.