“IF NA NAIJA NOW, DEM GO SAY NA THE WIFE”: WIZKID’S ASSOCIATE REACTS TO DIOGO JOTA’S TRAGIC DEATH
The shocking death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, has triggered global mourning — and in Nigeria, a comment from Tufab, an associate of Afrobeats superstar Wizkid, has sparked intense debate on social media.
Jota, 28, reportedly died in an accident while traveling with his brother, André, just two weeks after tying the knot with his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, in Porto. The tragedy has stunned football fans worldwide, with tributes pouring in from clubs, teammates, and fans alike.
Reacting to the incident, Tufab took to Twitter with a poignant observation on societal judgment in Nigeria, particularly how tragedy involving newlyweds is often misinterpreted.
“If na Naija now dem go say na his wife kill am,” he tweeted, highlighting a common narrative in parts of Nigeria where widows are often unfairly blamed for their husbands’ deaths.
In a follow-up post, he added, “Life’s unfair. He got married and many of us didn’t know or even celebrate with him. But he’s dead now and being remembered everywhere. Bad news travels too fast. This guy married 5 days ago and he’s dead now. Doesn’t make sense to me. Sigh. The wife became a widow in just 5 days.”
Tufab’s comments ignited strong reactions online, with many users agreeing with the grim reality of how grief is often met with suspicion in some Nigerian communities.
One user wrote, “They’ll say the wife killed him with witchcraft,” while another added, “Them for don dey drag his innocent ancestors.” Others criticized the culture of baseless accusations, calling for more empathy and investigation-based reasoning when tragedy strikes.
Despite the controversy, the focus remains on the sudden and heartbreaking loss of a young footballer in his prime. Liverpool FC, in a brief statement, said they received the news with deep sadness and are choosing to respect the privacy of Jota’s family during this difficult time.
The tragedy has cast a somber shadow across both the football and entertainment worlds, as fans reflect not only on the fragility of life, but also on the social narratives that often accompany personal loss.
