Mercy Chinwo, the celebrated Nigerian gospel singer, has publicly condemned her former manager, Ezekiel ThankGod, popularly known as Eezeetee, accusing him of being behind a malicious campaign of fake news concerning her son’s paternity. The accusations, which surfaced in the wake of the birth of her first child, have sent shockwaves through the gospel music industry.
In a heartfelt statement made on January 25, 2025, the ‘Excess Love’ singer shed light on the distressing events that have unfolded since the birth of her son with her husband, Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, on October 28, 2023.
“The rumors started to spread soon after my son was born, with some claiming that Nathaniel Bassey, my colleague and a respected gospel musician, was the father,” Mercy revealed in a tearful video. “This is not just an attack on me, but an attack on an innocent child. I have always known that the world of entertainment can be full of drama, but I never imagined this level of malice would be directed at my family.”
Mercy’s accusations against Eezeetee go beyond the allegations of paternity rumors. She explained that her former manager’s personal vendettas had become increasingly toxic, ultimately leading to the breakdown of their professional relationship. “One of my major crimes was when I did a song with Pastor Nathaniel Bassey. Because this man hates Pastor Nathaniel, he went as far as sponsoring fake news about my son,” she added. “He paid bloggers to spread lies.”
A War of Words and Personal Grudges
In the video, Mercy went on to detail the personal animosities between Eezeetee and various figures in the gospel music industry. “Because you hate Pastor Jerry Eze, you want me to follow suit. You want me to fight your battles. When I questioned him about these grudges, he would turn violent and harass me,” she claimed.
The singer pointed out that her decision to distance herself from Eezeetee and his negative influence had been a necessary move for her mental and emotional health. In what she described as a “toxic” relationship, Mercy explained that her move from Port Harcourt to Lagos was partially motivated by the need to escape the emotional burden imposed by her former manager.
“I had to leave Port Harcourt because of the emotional and psychological toll. I could not live in that toxic environment any longer. I needed peace, and I found it in Lagos,” she explained.
Mercy also emphasized that despite the harassment, she found solace in her faith. “I may have lost my manager, but I have not lost my peace, because I have God on my side,” she declared.
Legal Action and the Strained Relationship
Mercy’s legal counsel, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had previously spoken out on her behalf, especially concerning the broader issues involving her music catalog and her professional relationship with Eezeetee. Mercy stated that she had not sought legal action over the issues concerning her catalog, but she did not hesitate to take a firm stance against the personal attacks being orchestrated by her former manager.
“Eezeetee is trying to play the victim while he has been nothing but a bully to me,” Mercy stated. “I never sought a court case for my music catalog. My concern is the welfare of my family, and this man’s constant attacks have gone too far.”
The relationship between the two reportedly soured after Eezeetee’s public remarks about Mercy’s career and personal life. Sources close to the gospel singer confirm that he had begun to exert increasing control over Mercy’s decisions, especially her collaborations with other musicians.
It was her professional work with Pastor Nathaniel Bassey, a highly respected figure in the gospel music community, that apparently triggered the fury of her former manager. “I was simply collaborating with other gospel musicians, something that is common in the industry. But to Eezeetee, this was a betrayal, and he went on a personal vendetta against me,” Mercy shared.
The Dark Side of the Entertainment Industry
Mercy’s revelation about the fabricated news stories paints a disturbing picture of the entertainment industry’s darker side—where malicious rumors and fake news can tarnish reputations and damage personal lives. While the music industry is often glamorous, the reality for many artists, particularly women, can be fraught with challenges ranging from personal attacks to professional sabotage.
In Mercy’s case, the rumors about her son’s paternity were not just false; they were deliberately created to undermine her character. Her statement suggests that there may be deeper, personal motives at play.
“I am not just a gospel artist. I am a mother and a wife. And my family’s reputation and well-being are my top priority,” Mercy stated. “These lies have caused my family great pain, but I believe that the truth will prevail. My son’s father is Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, and no amount of lies can change that.”
