Segun Arole, the Nigerian cleric, has revealed that there’s an ongoing conflict between the family of Bunmi Akinnaanu and fellow gospel artistes regarding her burial arrangements.
Akinnaanu died on January 12 after a prolonged and public struggle with a severe leg ailment.
Months before her death, she had appealed for prayers and healing, garnering widespread sympathy from fans and the music community.
Initial funeral plans, circulated by gospel artiste Alayo Melody, detailed a multi-day schedule. This included a service of songs, a candlelight procession, and a tribute night on Tuesday, January 20, at the LTV 8 ground in Ikeja, Lagos, followed by a private interment for family and close allies on January 21.
These arrangements were later called off. Colleague Lanre Alewilese attributed the cancellation to an internal crisis within the Akinnaanu family.
Addressing the crisis via his TikTok page, Arole, a minister at C&S (Cherubim and Seraphim) Global Network, said the artistes organising the burial are now stepping back.
He stated they are angry due to a disagreement with the family over conflicting dates, which disrupted their preparations.
The cleric revealed that the artistes, including Melody, had already incurred expenses.
He described a breakdown in communication, noting, instead of the family to call, it was the artistes who were calling, and the family were not even picking up their calls.
Arole made a heartfelt appeal for reconciliation, specifically addressing gospel artistes Soji Omotayo, Melody, and Ambrose Shomide, as well as Fuji stars Saheed Osupa and Wasiu Pasuma, to assist the family.
Although all of us sat to deliberate on how to bury Bunmi. And it was the family that gave us the date. I heard that Alayo singer had paid for the casket and the burial ground, he said.
At the end of the day, nothing went as planned. Instead of the family to call, it was the artistes who were calling, and the family were not even picking up their calls. They turned it into anger.
At the end of the day, it did not work. And they have printed clothes and made the burial arrangements.
The family are now pleading with artistes, but we are saying we are no longer interested. Let us think of one day that we are going to stand before the lord. Please think of the day we are also going to die and face the Lord.
Pasuma, Saheed Osupa, this matter concerns you all.
According to Arole, the family has now set a new burial date for Bunmi Akinnaanu: January 28, 2026.
