In a revealing interview with GlobalHints.com.ng, Mr. Jimoh Adegoke, popularly known as jimbaco, who served as personal assistant to the late Fuji legend Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, disclosed that the Fuji pioneer and King Sunny Ade were never close friends.

According to jimbaco, Barrister cultivated a deep bond with Chief Ebenezer Obey, not Sunny Ade. He emphasised that Barrister visited Obey’s home frequently and had not extended similar visits to Sunny Ade’s residence.

Barrister and Obey: A Brotherly Bond in MUSIC History

The late Barrister and Chief Ebenezer Obey in 1978

“The late Barrister was very close to Chief Ebenezer Obey,”Jimbaco asserted. “He used to go to his house very well, but he hadn’t seen King Sunny Ade in Barrister’s home before.” This underscores a connection rooted in mentorship rather than rivalry.

This aligns with published accounts of how Obey supported Barrister early in his career. Ebenezer Obey is widely documented as having mentored Barrister, offering artistic guidance and personal support. He later described Barrister as a “worthy colleague” and pledged to preserve his legacy during a peace parley within the Fuji community.

Read Also : Sikiru Ayinde Barrister Never Wanted Hate Among Fuji Musicians — Late Icon’s PA Finally Breaks Silence

Why Barrister and King Sunny Ade Were Not in Good Terms

THE LATE DR SIKIRU AYINDE BARRISTER AND KING SUUNNY ADE

Jimbaco further revealed that tensions reportedly began after Barrister released an album in which he referred to himself as the “Dr of Music General”. According to the PA, this self-anointment was poorly received by King Sunny Ade and marked the beginning of a strained relationship. Ever since, they were reportedly not on good terms.

He explained: “When Barrister was alive, he said he and King Sunny Ade were not in good term ever since he did that album calling himself a Dr of Music General.” Following that period, the two only met occasionally at parties, never as peers or collaborators.

Jimbaco  clarified:

“They could only meet occasionally at parties.”

This suggests a cordial but distant familiarity, rather than a friendship or close collaboration. Despite operating in the same musical genre, Fuji and Juju remained separate worlds for these icons.

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Supporting Context: Historical Musical Landscape

King Sunny Ade and Barrister were contemporaries, yet their paths diverged. Barrister pioneered Fuji music as an alternative to Juju, consciously staging weekly shows near Obey’s and Sunny Ade’s venues in Ebute Meta during the 1970s. 

By contrast, Barrister’s relationship with Ebenezer Obey was marked by deep camaraderie and mutual support. Obey performed at Barrister’s events, and Barrister even dedicated an album to Obey’s father. Their bond extended well beyond music into personal mentorship and friendship.

Final Thought: Legacy Beyond Titles

The late Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister remains one of Nigeria’s most influential music figures. This new insight from his personal PA offers clarity on the real relationships that shaped his journey grounded in respect, not competition.

“Barrister and King Sunny Ade were never friends. But he never hated him either,” Bamako concluded.

As the dust settles on decades of myth and music, truths like this give fans a clearer picture of the man behind the mic—a disciplined artist, a loyal friend, and a quiet but firm believer in peace.

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