Nollywood Actress, Tonto Dikeh has been noted to dedicate a father’s day post every Father’s Day to herself on social media platforms and this year was no different.

Following, the messy split from her husband, Olakunle Churchill, who she accused of being an abuser and several other shady acts, she has taken up full parenting of their only child, King Andre Dikeh. 

Sticking to her yearly custom, Tonto Dikeh took to Instagram and Twitter to post celebratory Father’s Day messages dedicated to herself. Alongside the caption, an image of a mug displaying the picture of her and her son was shown. Tonto lauds herself as the only parent who put in the work of raising her child and who has been acting as both mother and father to her son. Hence, she declares that she deserves to be congratulated on this day. 

Her ex-husband, Churchill in a post that seems to be responding to Tonto, also wished himself a Happy Father’s Day. He declared that a father is still a father irrespective of marital challenges. He also prayed for his followers that their children won’t be used as a tool of jealousy against them.

Tonto dikeh (Mr Mom) and her husband.

So Who is the real father between Tonto Dikeh Mr Mom and Mr Olakunle Churchill? LMAOO pic.twitter.com/QR71VAtNrO

— Sola (@Advsola) June 21, 2020

Another popular Nigerian actress who followed this trend was popular Yoruba Actress, Mercy Aigbe who took to Twitter to wish herself a Happy Father’s Day and congratulated single parents who have had to act as both parenting figures in the lives of their children.

Her ex-husband, Asiwaju Lanre Gentry who she also had a public split from, took to Twitter as well to wish himself and other fathers a Happy Father’s  Day. He laid focus on the fact that any woman who wants to congratulate herself on Father’s Day must be ready to pay the school fees of the children. 

Mercy Aigbe and her husband. LMAOOOO. pic.twitter.com/nBfZx3BjVf

— Sola (@Advsola) June 21, 2020

 

Discussions and arguments flooded the microblogging site, Twitter on the matter. Nigerians argued on whether this action of single mothers being applauded on Fathers’ Day was right or wrong. Many piped in, offering their own opinions on the issue.

A set of persons shared the opinion that it was distasteful, arguing that there were several days dedicated to mothers in a year; more than enough time to celebrate the gender. They posited that only one day has been dedicated to the fathers and it is very selfish to try to usurp the celebration moment and share the spotlight with women. These persons argued that a mother can never be a father and as such, she should not be celebrated on Fathers’ Day.

Omo I'm tired of this "happy father's day to my mom" bullshit!

You have 4 times a year to tweet that, if you don't have a father figure in your life you dont have to celebrate. It's not by force ffs

Today is to celebrate the good men in our lives please. Free it for them

— Vonn (@_E_vonn) June 21, 2020

It's Father's day. A father is a MALE parent, not a role. Today is to celebrate male parents. No matter how y'all twist it your mother can never be your father ?
If my tweet offends you. Leave your tears here down here please ?

— Vonn (@_E_vonn) June 21, 2020

 

Never seen men try to take over mother's day. It's always tiring

— Nostradamus (@_piterr) June 21, 2020

Tonto is wrong, no matter the situation parenting or broken relationships places you in, A woman can NEVER be a FATHER, But a woman can be a Wonderful Mother and a strong single parent. Let’s call a spade a spade. And wait for Mother’s Day or Single parents day.

— Beautiful Buoy (@BeautifulBuoy) June 21, 2020

Mothers should give up one of the numerous mother's/ women's day in a year for single moms. Dear Tonto dikeh and come, leave this day set aside for fathers alone! Don't be unfortunate. Thenz #FathersDay

— ListenHereYouLittleShit! ? (@ok_NowListen) June 21, 2020

 

Oppositional arguments were thrown back with many saying that it really does not matter. Supporters on this camp argued that as long as it doesn’t affect others personally, anyone can celebrate whomever they please. They went further to state that if a mother has acted as both parents in the lives of their children; their children have the right to celebrate them in accordance with the reality of their life.

They also went further to state that people who looked down on such practice were speaking from a point of privilege and that not everyone was fortunate enough to have alive, involved, or good fathers.

Instead of you to thank your own daddy, you will wake up on Fathers day and start looking for people thanking their mummies and complaining about their own daddies. Not your own oh, their own.

Nothing doing inc.

— Jola (@Jollz) June 21, 2020

Lool It's also not by force for you to talk please. Nobody is disturbing you. Rest https://t.co/4BQ4Cb3z2B

— FK. (@fkabudu) June 21, 2020

What do you think?