Nollywood actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia has addressed the wave of criticism she received after publicly congratulating celebrity fashion designer Abiodun Folashade Tokunbo, widely known as CEO Luminee, on the arrival of her newborn baby.
The controversy stems from the revelation that the father of the child is Yoruba actor Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha. Baba Ijesha was recently released from prison after serving jail time for sexual offences committed against a minor. The news of his relationship and subsequent child with Luminee sparked widespread outrage across social media platforms.
The Backlash Surrounding CEO Luminee and Baba Ijesha
Many social media users expressed shock and disappointment at CEO Luminee for associating with a convicted sex offender, particularly because she is already a mother to a young daughter from a previous relationship. Amid the heated online debate, Annie Macaulay-Idibia left a congratulatory message for the fashion designer.
This gesture quickly drew the ire of netizens, many of whom dragged the mother of two for her comment. Critics pointed out that as a mother of daughters, she should have been more mindful before celebrating a union involving a convicted child abuser.
Annie Macaulay Explains Her Side of the Story
Responding to the severe backlash, Annie Macaulay-Idibia took to social media to clear the air. She explained that her congratulatory message was not an endorsement of the controversial union, but rather a polite gesture to a professional associate.
According to the actress, she was completely unaware of the circumstances or who the child’s father was. She revealed that her connection to Luminee was strictly professional, as the designer had styled an outfit for her a few months prior.
“I had absolutely no idea what was going on,” Annie clarified, explaining that she merely saw a post about a baby and decided to show support to someone who had recently worked with her.
Public Reactions Continue to Pour In
Despite her clarification, the situation has kept social media users talking, with many debating the social responsibilities of celebrities when engaging with peers online. Meanwhile, public scrutiny remains high around CEO Luminee and her decisions following Baba Ijesha’s release from prison.