After Annie, only Tuface can help himself, by Charles Novia

I was the first or one of the first to put 2Baba and Blackface (then a duo known as ‘Plantashun Boiz’) on Network Television when I was at NTA, back in 1997. That exposure to millions of viewers made them blow to a new audience. 2Baba has never forgotten that.

Coincidentally, when I moved back to Lagos from Abuja in 2018 after 4 and a half years away from Lagos, we became estate neighbours at the Richmond Estate in Ikate. We hardly saw much but I would see Annie, his then wife, a few times walking the children or at the supermarket etc. I had also known her since 2004 when she was an up and coming actress.

It was a bit of a shock to me when they separated but I’m privy to some inside story about why that happened which I prefer not to share. However, it was clear to me that their union had to break up due to irreconcilable differences. Very irreconcilable.

What many people don’t know is that they had broken up more than two years ago but the news only came to the fore when Natasha came into the picture.

Perhaps, hurt and searching for some sort of emotional anchor, 2Baba rushed into the willing arms of a star-struck but limelight hugging Natasha. Perhaps he hadn’t allowed enough time for decompression from his collapsed marriage and needed to be with someone else quickly.

There was an obvious breakdown of a professional management structure which 2Baba had before now. My good friend and brother, Efe Omorogbe, had stopped managing him two years ago and 2Baba tried to work on his own with family members. That was the first mistake as his professional brand management took a dive.

I don’t think Annie was a saint and wasn’t a victim, as people painted it. That union had gotten toxic and beyond repair at the moment they separated. Perhaps they needed a long separation and ESSENTIAL medical and emotional rehabilitation between both parties.

Unfortunately, it seems 2Baba found a pro max toxic relationship or union yet again with his present beau.

With the revelations coming out from close managers and friends about domestic violence in his union with Natasha, fights and drug use (which were sometimes rife in his first marriage as alleged), it is obvious 2Baba needs help.

And only him can help himself, in the first instance.

He’s still a creative force and still very much commands brand sponsorships. But all that will dwindle soon, if he doesn’t rein himself in.

I would advise 2Baba to take that long break now. After that, the options would be clearer to him. He needs that break for emotional rehabilitation and clarity. It sounds selfish but he’s a national cultural asset and this comes from a good place.

What about Natasha? She needs her own personal rehabilitation and definitely needs to face the job she was voted for in Edo State.

All the castles of doubtful love and happiness are presently crashing down.

At this point, they both don’t need castles.