Fela Kuti proposed to marry Onyeka Onwenu in the 1980s, but the veteran Nigerian singer rejected him for that reason, according to Onyeka Onwenu. This was disclosed by Onyeka, who was dubbed the “Elegant Stallion” by the Nigerian media, in her most recent autobiography, My Father’s Daughter.
An image of young Onyeka Onwenu.
She claimed that Fela proposed to her while she was at his club, Kalakuta. Because she was a possessive lover who did not understand Fela’s love for women and could not handle being one of his many wives, she declined him.
On February 20th, 1978, at the Parisona Hotel in Anthony, Lagos, Fela wed 27 of his backup dancers and singers.
The second time I saw Fela was in 1984, a few years after I had returned from the United States, and Onyeka described how Fela proposed marriage in his account. He had recently been let out of jail. He was detained when he tried to use the sum of 1,600 pounds for their hotel accommodations in order to travel to London with his band for a gig. “.
“At the time, one of the many decrees issued by the Buhari/Idiagbon military junta prohibited carrying any amount of foreign currency. “.
“After he was released from prison, Fela sent our mutual friend, the journalist Onuorah Udenwa, who is now a pastor in the US, to pick me up and take me to his club. He wasn’t saying what I assumed he was going to say—it wasn’t a thank-you for standing up for him. “.
And his wives, Fela Kuti.
“The article I wrote in support of him, which he never once mentioned. I was touched that Fela would consider marrying me. Although I thanked him for the honor of wanting me to be his consort, I still said no. “.
The music icon continued, “While she was waiting to see him at the club, she noticed that his Queen (dancer-wives) had been mocking her.”.
They frequently strolled by while making whispered remarks about me. It was quite obvious that they were openly hostile. “.
“I called his attention to this and warned him that I was a possessive lover and couldn’t handle being a part of his harem, but Fela laughed. “.
