By Ademola Tijani
Numerous narratives and tributes have been penned about the illustrious life and career of Onyeka Onwenu, affectionately dubbed the “Elegant Stallion” by the media. However, relatively little is known about her husband. In her various interactions with the media, Onwenu had chosen to keep her personal relationships as private as possible. Nonetheless, it is widely known that she has two children with a Yoruba Muslim man.
The celebrated singer and actress disclosed that she married a Yoruba Muslim in 1984, and their union produced two sons, Tijani Ogunlende and Ibrahim Ogunlende. Ibrahim later changed his name to Abraham.
The precise nature of Onwenu’s current marital status with the father of her children remained uncertain, but the surname “Ogunlende,” shared by her sons, suggests a connection. Onwenu prefers to maintain a high level of privacy regarding her family, revealing very little about her personal life.
Despite years of apparent marital bliss, Onwenu revealed in an interview that her marriage eventually became troubled and abusive, saying she endured the hardships out of love for her husband and their children.
Reflecting on her marriage, she described it as initially “incredible” and “perfect,” noting that her husband was a good friend.
However, she observed that people sometimes change under certain circumstances and may take out their frustrations on those closest to them, explaining that she endured the situation for as long as she did because of her deep love for her husband and children.
When she finally decided to leave, Onwenu said she realized that love sometimes necessitates walking away, particularly in abusive situations, emphasizing the importance of self-preservation for the sake of her children and acknowledging that staying could have had fatal consequences for her.
Onwenu spoke candidly about her experiences as a mother and her relationships with her children, but remained reticent about the identity of her husband and whether they were still together.
When asked directly if she had ever been married to the father of her sons, Onwenu declined to answer, consistently keeping the identity of her children’s father shrouded in secrecy.
Over the years, the late singer had been linked to several notable men, including Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Sunny Okosun, King Sunny Ade, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
However, she confessed that only Fela Anikulapo-Kuti attempted to woo her in the 1990s.
Onwenu revealed that Fela, despite already having multiple wives and concubines, wanted her to be his wife but that she turned him down, explaining that she was a “possessive lover” who could not share her man with other women.
