Gospel performer Laolu Gbenjo publicly appealed on October 15, 2026, urging the relatives of the deceased Nigerian singer Toluwanisings to resolve their internal disagreement and stop the situation from turning into another high‑profile controversy.
What triggered the family feud?
Toluwanisings died suddenly on October 14, 2026, after collapsing. His personal assistant later recounted that emergency services rushed him to seven or eight hospitals, but none could provide the needed life‑saving care. The abrupt death has left his paternal family and his widow, Elizabeth, at odds over burial arrangements.
What are the competing burial wishes?
The paternal side insists that Toluwanisings be interred at the house he constructed before his death, while his widow prefers a conventional cemetery burial. This disagreement has stalled funeral plans, leaving the body unburied weeks after his passing.
What condition did an uncle set for the burial?
An uncle of the late singer declared that no burial will take place until an autopsy is performed to determine the exact cause of death, adding another layer to the stalemate.
What did Laolu Gbenjo say?
During a "Night of Tributes" event held the previous evening, Gbenjo warned against repeating the prolonged controversy that followed the death of singer Mohbad. He said, "Toluwani loved God with all his heart. He was a pure man. Don't turn Toluwani to Mohbad. Whoever is putting that thing together, that madness must stop. If you don't have a job, go and get yourself a job. Toluwani, we love you but Jesus loves you more."
Why is the situation significant for Nigeria?
The dispute highlights how family disagreements over burial customs can quickly become public spectacles, especially when high‑profile artists are involved. It also underscores the need for clear protocols in handling sudden deaths to avoid prolonged legal and emotional battles.
The controversy remains unresolved, with both sides awaiting an autopsy report and a consensus on the final resting place. Until then, Toluwanisings' family and fans continue to call for unity and respect for the late singer's memory.