Asu Ekiye divorce has taken a new turn after the gospel singer clarified that he did not initiate the separation from his wife. The marriage ended after 28 years.
ABUJA, NIGERIA —
Gospel singer Asu Ekiye has clarified the circumstances surrounding his divorce, saying his wife, Kunemofa Asu, packed out of their home and instituted legal proceedings to end their 28-year marriage without any quarrel between them. Ekiye made the clarification after publicly confirming that the union had ended a year earlier.
The clarification adds a new dimension to the announcement Ekiye made on Thursday, August 20, 2026, when he disclosed that his marriage to Kunemofa had come to an end. The singer had previously kept the development private, explaining that he waited for a year before speaking publicly because he wanted time to process the change and reach a point of acceptance.
Ekiye initially avoided discussing the circumstances behind the separation. In his public statement, he described the marriage as a deeply personal journey marked by years of growth and experience, while saying he wanted to close that chapter with dignity. He also made clear that the marriage did not end immediately before his announcement, but had actually ended about a year earlier.
The latest clarification now places the responsibility for initiating the divorce proceedings in a different light. According to Ekiye’s account, he did not start the process, and he rejected any impression that a major quarrel between the couple triggered the breakdown. He said his wife left the home and subsequently instituted proceedings, giving his account of an ending that he had previously chosen not to discuss publicly.
The development has drawn attention because the couple’s marriage lasted nearly three decades. Ekiye and Kunemofa married in 1998 and built a family together, with reports stating that they have four children. The singer’s decision to speak about the matter only after a year has also kept the focus largely on the end of the union rather than on public accusations between the couple.
Newstridez reviewed available reports on the announcement and found that Ekiye’s original public statement did not disclose a specific reason for the marriage breakdown. The statement instead focused on acceptance, gratitude and moving forward. Other reports also noted that the singer appealed for privacy and urged members of the public to avoid speculation about the circumstances surrounding the separation.
The singer’s public profile has made the development especially significant among Nigerian gospel music followers. Ekiye, widely known as the “Prince of the Niger Delta,” has spent decades building a career around gospel music and Niger Delta-inspired sounds. His official website describes his career as spanning music, administration and advocacy, while identifying him as a Bayelsa-born artiste based in Abuja.
His career includes the 2001 release of Back to Base, which his official profile identifies as the project that helped establish him prominently in gospel music. He has also received recognition through awards and held leadership roles within gospel music circles. Those longstanding links to Nigeria’s Christian music community mean his family announcement has reached an audience far beyond the entertainment industry.
Ekiye had previously spoken publicly about his marriage and the challenges he and Kunemofa faced during their early years together. A 2018 account of their 20th wedding anniversary described a period marked by financial hardship and childlessness before the couple later had children. That earlier public account showed how the marriage had remained an important part of Ekiye’s personal story for many years.
For many Nigerian families, the development also touches on a wider issue: the pressure that can surround long-term marriages when private family matters become public. Celebrity separations often generate speculation online, but Ekiye’s decision to explain who initiated the proceedings gives his audience a clearer account while leaving many personal details outside the public space.
The singer has not publicly disclosed details of the legal proceedings, including the court where the case was filed or its specific outcome. Available reports confirm that he announced the end of the marriage in August 2026 and said the union had actually ended a year earlier. The latest clarification therefore adds his personal account to a matter that had largely remained private.
As the story continues to attract public interest, Ekiye’s earlier appeal for privacy remains relevant. The gospel singer has signalled that he wants to move forward from the 28-year marriage with dignity, while his latest clarification seeks to correct the impression that he personally initiated the divorce. Any further details will depend on statements from the parties or records from the legal proceedings.
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