Controversial Nigerian singer and internet personality, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington or Akpi, has said he lied in the video where he claimed to have slept with a 15-year-old girl in an hotel in Lagos.
Truthlive News had reported that the controversial rapper had come under fire after he stated that he got intimate with a teenager who is a virgin after which tipped a hotel attendant N2000 to clean blood stains on the bedsheet.
However, in a follow-up video posted on Wednesday via his social media handle, Akpi claimed the controversial remark was a publicity stunt to promote his music, not a real confession of any bad act.
“This video is for all, I guess, fans and followers that are angry that I made a video saying I slept with a 15-year-old,” he said.
“I’m an artist. We need controversy to eat. We need to stay controversial to eat. If they don’t talk about you, you’re not getting booked. Simple.”
Akpi added that he does not perform gospel music and, therefore, was not bound by any moral restrictions in his lyrics
“So when I drop that kind of music, we need content to push it — that’s what I was doing. So don’t give it more life than it’s supposed to have,” he added.
Although he didn’t retract the statement outrightly, he offered a general apology, saying, “If any of you is offended, apologies.”
The video, which ignited backlash online, also captured the attention of the Lagos State government, which escalated the matter to higher authorities for possible action.