Aboru Aboye: Nigerian pastor reacts to Tope Alabi use of traditional worshipers slang in song

A Nigerian cleric Pastor Lanre Kayode has reacted to the use of ‘Aboru Aboye’ in the viral song by popular gospel singer, Tope Alabi, which has stirred up controversies across the country.

Alabi made headlines last Friday following the release of a song where she was heard singing the words ‘Aboru Aboye,’ terms mostly used by Ifa worshippers when greeting initiates, sometimes referred to as ‘Babalawo’.

Alabi, in the viral video, could be heard singing the lyrics; ‘Emi ni aboru, aboye… abiye ni mi, Oruko mi ni yen. Mo de bo, mo ru, mo ye,” (I am a sacrifice, that’s my name. I am a sacrifice accepted by God, that’s my name).

However, reacting to the viral video, Pastor Lanre Kayode, Senior Pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church, Shibiri branch, Lagos, said the controversy trailing the video could be blamed on the poor understanding of the Yoruba language by some of her critics.

Pastor Kayode said, “It’s a language thing. I see nothing wrong with what she said. She was simply praising God.”

He argued that another gospel act, Dunsin Oyekan, has a song where he used similar words only sung in the English Language and no one raised an eyebrow.

Oyekan, in the song titled ‘More than a Song, sang the words: ”I am more than a song today, I am a sacrifice…” similar words to Alabi’s but conveyed in a different language.

”Why are people not complaining about that? Is it because he sang in English?

“Why do people not have issues with this? Is it because Tope sang in Yoruba?” Pastor Kayode asked.

He stressed that there is nothing wrong with Tope Alabi’s choice of words. “It’s simply a language thing. Not many people understand Yoruba that well and that’s why they are criticising the song,” he said.