Tope Alabi, a renowned gospel singer from Nigeria, has broken her silence regarding the controversy surrounding her song titled ‘Aboru Aboye.’ She aims to clarify that the usage of the phrase in her song does not imply an exclusive language reserved for traditionalists.
The song, which she recently performed, garnered various reactions from fans and critics due to the inclusion of a phrase associated with traditional religious customs.
In a video, Alabi can be seen singing in Yoruba and utilizing the phrase ‘Aboru Aboye,’ which is a customary greeting among Ifa initiates.
Within the song, Tope Alabi referred to herself as ‘ebo,’ meaning sacrifice in English, and sang the lyrics, “Abiye ni mi, Oruko mi ni yen. Mo de bo, mo ru, mo ye,” translating to “I am a sacrifice, that’s my name. I am a sacrifice accepted by God, that’s my name.”
These lyrics generated mixed reactions from her fans and some Christian leaders who questioned her choice of words.
In a recent video while ministering in a white garment church, Alabi took the opportunity to clarify that the phrase “Aboru Aboye” is purely Yoruba and not exclusively used by traditionalists.
She further explained her use of the language by referring to the Bible, highlighting that her unique application of the language is a characteristic feature of her as a gospel artist.
Alabi stated, “It was recorded that David made a sacrifice of faithfulness to God. Why was the word sacrifice not written as the same English word in the Yoruba version of the Bible? It is a Yoruba language. There is no special language for traditionalists. We are all speaking the Yoruba language.”
She also emphasized that if some people choose to use the language in their own style, it is not inherently wrong, as they have also decided to utilize it in their own style.
To further support her argument, she referred to biblical examples of sacrifices, questioning, “Was Abraham’s sacrifice accepted or not? Was it not the same with Isaac?”
Additionally, she made reference to a Bible passage, specifically Romans 12:1, stating, “Brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. The word ‘acceptable’ is the ‘Aboru,’ while ‘living sacrifice’ is ‘Aboye’.”