The end of a marriage is often an unpleasant private affair, but for a public figure like Ayo Makun, known as AY, such personal moments are thrust into the spotlight. The Nigerian comedian and actor recently confirmed the dissolution of his 20-year marriage to Mabel, amidst rumors of infidelity with a former Big Brother Naija housemate.
AY addressed the rumors head-on in an Instagram post on Sunday, urging the public not to equate silence with weakness.
“Many people believe that staying silent simply means that one is incapable of dealing with issues,” he stated.
He emphasized the distinction between opinions and facts, expressing his desire to keep family matters private, especially for the sake of his daughter’s mental health.
He confessed to actions he now regrets, reflecting on the difficulty of watching a long-standing marriage crumble.
“It is one thing to watch my friendship/marriage of 20 years slip off my hands, but it’s another thing for the parties involved to understand how to appropriate the blame,” he wrote.
The comedian’s social media posts have sparked a wave of reactions.
A recent Instagram post featuring his daughter, captioned “Benefits…”, was met with criticism from followers who cautioned against using children as leverage in marital disputes. Comments ranged from advice to maintain the child’s privacy to outright disapproval of AY’s perceived pride.
Social media users cautioned against using children as leverage, emphasizing the multifaceted benefits of marriage that extend beyond parenthood. One social media user commented: “Sharing life with someone is the greatest privilege to have in this lifetime,” the user advised, urging AY to respect his daughter’s privacy.
Cute_mjt wrote: “My respect for AY is enormous. However, this post isn’t necessary. ‘Benefit’? People are wise while many can read meanings. This post isn’t necessary…. Of Course we all know what you were referring to… If it’s all you benefited from the 20 years of marriage then you never loved and valued your wife. This is outright disrespect. Marriage is beyond child benefit. It’s lifetime respect, value and oneness…. Your post is out of order sir or the timing is wrong…. You can do better…. May you all find a reason to settle. Love and light”
twist_gender argued: “You care about her mental health and you have that caption there sir?”
Another user, aghogho_mena, criticized AY’s post for its perceived pride and ignorance, suggesting a division of parental roles following the separation. “Do better,” they implored.
AY and Mabel’s journey began over two decades ago, culminating in a marriage that has faced the pressures of fame and public life.
They have celebrated joys, such as the birth of their children, and weathered storms, including a house fire and battles with infertility.
Their relationship, once a beacon for many, now enters a new phase, marked by separation and the quest for privacy amidst a very public ordeal.
