Kazim Adeoti: Why I didn’t attend my first wife’s 50th birthday party

Kazim Adeoti, the film producer, has addressed speculation surrounding his absence from his first wife Funsho Adeoti’s 50th birthday celebration in Minnesota, United States.

Funsho’s extravagant party, attended by friends, family, and their four children last week, sparked controversy due to Kazim’s noticeable absence.

But in a now-deleted social media post, Kazim clarified that Funsho explicitly asked him not to attend, citing concerns of potential embarrassment.

The movie producer said despite feeling hurt, he respected Funsho’s decision to avoid embarrassment.

Kazim said he wished Funsho a happy birthday offline and “she acknowledged it pleasantly”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the celebrant and I spoke about her plan for her 50th birthday party and how she wished to celebrate it. She wanted a party but, shockingly she specifically said that I should not attend. I asked her again to be sure in the presence of our children and to everybody’s surprise, her response was consistent-she said NO!” he wrote.

“That was her wish, and I would not want to be embarrassed by attending a party that the celebrant asked me not to attend, so I stayed back in Nigeria.

“Regardless of how painful her position was to me, I ensured that I supported her morally and financially towards the success of the party. I also informed and ensured that some of our families and friends in the USA honored her big day.

“As I always do, I wished her a happy birthday offline, and she acknowledged pleasantly.”

Kazim and Funsho’s marriage has faced public scrutiny since the filmmaker took actress Mercy Aigbe as his second wife in January 2022.

He also justified his decision, saying as a Muslim, he is entitled to marry a second wife.

However, Funsho responded with a stern warning to the pair.