ANNIE’S LOYALTY: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

Long before then, but at least since 2010, there have been news of one celebrity couple or more getting divorced. From Osas ighodaro and gbenro Ajibade, to Tiwa Savage and Teebillz, to Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz, to AY and Mabel Makun; the frequency at which these divorces happen makes it easy for many Nigerians to conclude and not expect a long-lasting celebrity relationship. While it is a fact that compared to Westerners with a very high divorce rate, both among their celebrities and lay citizens, Nigerians have also in some manner started recording an increase in divorce rate such that in no time, Nigeria might just rank among top countries with high divorce rates.

Reasons for divorce ranges from infidelity, Trust issues, Physical and emotional abuse, to Different values and goals. From personalities displayed by celebrities on social media and the love that fans have for them, it becomes very hard to come to terms with some divorce announcements, however, these news snaps Nigerians out of the thoughts that celebrities are some sorts of demigods, built with perfection. It brings to light reality and what it may have in stock for everyone regardless of their status.

Just when we receive shocking divorce news for a loved pair and believe that no divorce news can be as shocking again, another news comes out, overlapping what was on ground before. Months after AY and his wife, Mabel Makun, announced their shocking separation, tongues have begun wagging again, with various speculations and analysis flying around as 2face announces his separation from wife, Annie Idibia, with divorce already filed.

Of the many reactions that flooded comments sections and many retweets by netizens, the most striking for me was the talk that if any of them were to file for divorce, it had to be Annie. This is because of the past events between the duo and the image that Annie had created for herself through these events – the image of ‘the loyal partner’ ‘the enduring partner’

On 26th January, 2025, Nigerian singer, 2face(2baba), made an announcement on his instagram page, disclosing the end of the 13 year old marriage with wife, Annie. Recall that the duo reportedly met in 1999. At the time, 2face was 24 while Annie was 15, they started off as friends before dating and getting married eventually in 2012. 

Before their marriage, and during, there were countless issues between both lovers which majored mostly on 2face's infidelities, they had reportedly broken up and made up countless times, 2face has three baby mamas, including Annie. There are rumors that he may even have more children than those identified on social media. It was back and forth with cheatings and disrespect from 2face, however Annie decided to stay by him. 

Hence, while a lot of people criticised 2face for being a loose man, others criticized Annie for staying regardless while some had a middle stance and lauded Annie for staying true to the marital vow of ‘through thick and thin’. Has their bus finally gotten to its stop?

A double-edged sword is a sword with two sharp edges and could cut in both directions. Metaphorically, and from the lens of netizens, Annie's love and loyalty became her weakness -her double-edged sword, and it seems to have cut her deep this time. 

Is love a crime? 

In my opinion, love is all about loving without conditions, it is the act of having unwavering affections and devotion for someone. If love does have conditions, then its essence has been undermined. However, what is the essence of a full blown love that lifts one and destroys another? If a party is continually hurting and on the receiving end, I do not like to categorise such relationships as love, because love is kind, fair, respectul, fulfilling and healthy.

From the look of things in the past, and the many cheating rumors about the African Queen crooner, it was quite glaring that Annie was the enduring partner, so, if anyone has to call it quits, it is definitely Annie. Being into entertainment herself, she struggled with the identity of being more of 2face’s woman, rather than what she is as an individual, it's even worse when one hears her name and every event that has played between her and her husband comes to memory as- 2face's baby mama number 3 - the enduring wife of the cheating music star, and so on. Moreover, Annie is not without any identity. She's a Nigerian model, actress, TV presenter and CEO of BeOlive hair studio, a beauty salon she owns in Atlanta, she is very much her own person outside the gram. 

Societal Expectations 

Whether we agree or not, some of our decisions are clouded by societal expectations. The same society that shames a woman for not being able to hold her marriage is the same one that shames a her for deciding to stay through difficult times. There's no day that goes by without various ‘marriage experts’ giving their own piece of what a woman should or should not do, in this case therefore, should we not blame the society also for putting pressure on women and stating what an Ideal woman is and is not? 

At least, the cultural narrative of endurance is gradually changing. The narrative has been identified as ‘the silent generation thing’ while the ‘sorosoke’ generation have become louder and clearer that while endurance is key, there is a limit to it, implying that endurance is no longer a required virtue when a relationship is unhealthy both physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Lessons Learnt 

Moving forward, while it is sad that things unfolded the way they did between Annie and 2face, we still do not know his own side of the story and what may have been the reason for the breakup, although netizens wonder what could be a bigger offence than those of his that Annie had forgiven in the past. 

Anyways, lessons have been learnt. Life is full of uncertainties and we cannot place every experience on the same pedestal. What is important is the ability to discern what is right for us and what is not. Discerning may be hard, but it is not impossible. One thing I realise Is that our bodies and minds have ways of warning us of potential hurts, it's just left for us to trust our guts because there are always the signs. The opinion that Annie deserves whatever she gets is quite diabolical. Loving is risky and might require one putting all eggs in a basket, however, love is hopeful as well.

Lastly, love is pure, enduring, loyal, and all forms of virtue, however, it can also be enhancing, parasitic, oblivion and submerging. Love wholeheartedly but do not lose yourself, your identity and self worth, if you eventually do, gather the strengths to find yourself back. Anyways, love is complex!