FUJI STAR SAHEED OSUPA ADMITS USING ‘JUJU’ TO SUCCEED, SPARKS CONTROVERSY

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Popular Fuji musician, Saheed Okunola, popularly known as Saheed Osupa, has stated that he engages in voodoo as part of his pursuit of success and personal advancement.

Osupa made the disclosure while performing at the 52nd birthday celebration of veteran actor Fatai Odua, popularly known as Lalude, on March 30, 2026.

In a video that surfaced online on Wednesday, the singer was seen advising his backup singers to adopt voodoo practices to improve their memory, as they struggled to keep up with his performance during the event.

He went further to outline items they could use, noting that such practices were not necessarily fetish but aimed at improving well-being.

Speaking further, Osupa revealed that he had previously been advised to deny using supernatural powers, commonly referred to as juju, but he rejected the suggestion.

“Somebody told me one time to grant an interview, denying that I’m a fetish person, but I told him that I am, and why should I deny it? I didn’t kill anyone with my juju or commit evil with it. I am only looking for how to progress. Nothing more.

“That’s why anytime I wake, I always pay obeisance to my Ifa. I don’t know the deity beyond it, because it is worth paying homage to.

“If I don’t engage in voodoo, what else should I have employed? Is it Phensic or Panadol that will make me successful? It is not good to be poor and still not live a good life. Even if one is not enormously rich but should enjoy comfort,” he said.

The Fuji star added that voodoo practices are widespread, claiming that while some people engage in them secretly, he chooses to be open about his.

“Everybody practises voodoo. While some hide behind the scenes to do theirs, I do mine in the open. All those talks of mine that I rely solely on the Bible and the Quran are pure lies,” he said.

His remarks have since generated mixed reactions, particularly among Islamic clerics who expressed concern over his comments.

A cleric identified as Alagusiy on TikTok distanced himself from the claims, urging the singer to abandon such practices.

“You don’t need to be promoting Ifa because there are a lot of Muslims who believe so much in you and follow your footsteps. Please return to God, he’s the one who made you famous and rich. Not Ifa or juju that you engage in. Even if you don’t pray or engage in anything fetish, God has already destined you to be great,” he said.

Another cleric, identified as Uwais Lukman, argued that Osupa’s lifestyle contradicts religious expectations.

“Musicians are never seen as people who are on the right path because they can promote one religion today and another tomorrow. It is their job. For the simple fact that he still engages in music with instruments to promote it makes him less of a Muslim,” he said.

Similarly, an Islamic commentator identified as General Tom criticised the singer, suggesting that his remarks reflected a lack of reverence for God.

In response to the backlash, Osupa maintained that he has not disrespected any holy book, stating that he acknowledges both Jesus and Prophet Muhammad as messengers of God, while criticising what he described as insincere religious practices.

Although he did not retract his earlier comments about voodoo, he also did not directly address specific criticisms from clerics.

The Fuji star has, in the past, made references to seeking spiritual assistance from various sources during his performances.