There is something about popular actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, that perhaps only women can fully explain.
His rise to fame, his dramatic fall from grace, and what appears to be a gradual comeback have all, in one way or another, revolved around women.
As the Yoruba saying goes, “Òrìṣà jẹ n pé méjì obìnrin ò dénú” suggesting that the complexities of a woman’s heart are often difficult to fully understand.
Perhaps that is why opinions remain divided over the circumstances that led to Baba Ijesha’s conviction and imprisonment.
Whether he was unfairly set up, as some claim, or whether he committed the offence for which he was convicted, one fact remains: his life and career have been profoundly shaped by his relationships with women.
A Woman can share many things with his man, but often find it harder to share him with another woman.
No matter how deeply a woman loves a man, discovering that his attention has shifted elsewhere can lead her to walk away, fight for her place, or seek other means of addressing the situation.
I may not know what it is about Baba Ijesha that attracts women to him, but reports and speculation surrounding his case have often pointed to complicated personal relationships.
Some have alleged that a former lover, unwilling to share him with another woman, played a role in the events that eventually led to his incarceration. These claims, however, remain part of public speculation.
Whatever the truth may be, the celebrations of those who rejoiced at his downfall appeared to fade after seven months when Baba Ijesha left the prison and announced the birth of a baby boy with his longtime partner.
The announcement quickly went viral and generated widespread reactions. Among those who commented was actress Nkechi, who reportedly expressed surprise that Baba Ijesha was now being celebrated with a beautiful wife and a newborn child.
Another woman swiftly responded, warning Nkechi against further comments and threatening to reveal details of her own alleged relationship with the actor.
Since then, the actress has remained silent on the matter.
Yet the central figure in this latest chapter is not Baba Ijesha himself but his wife, Abiodun Tokunbo, who chose to stand by her husband despite public criticism, ridicule, and controversy.
How many women would make such a choice? In a recent Instagram post, Tokunbo shared photographs documenting her journey with her husband over the years.
Accompanying the images was a message expressing gratitude despite the difficulties they had faced.
Tokunbo, the CEO of Anjy Luminee Couture, a Lagos-based fashion brand also known as House of Luminee, emphasized the importance of privacy in her life.
“Before and After. Aanu Ni!” she wrote.
“Oju ri! But Anu speaks.
“This is the right time to fly together. Privacy is peace to me.”
She also disclosed that the couple had welcomed their first child together after 12 years, while making reference to her daughter.
For many women, especially in the age of social media where personal lives are often displayed for public consumption, what Tokunbo describes as “the right time” may appear to be the wrong time.
Yet her actions suggest a different philosophy, one rooted in patience, loyalty, privacy, and resilience.
Social media critics may question her choices, but others see something remarkable in her willingness to endure difficult seasons and remain committed to her family.
Whether one agrees with her decisions or not, Tokunbo’s story offers an alternative perspective in a world where relationships are increasingly judged by public opinion rather than personal conviction.
Perhaps that is what makes her stand out.
Perhaps that is why some see her as a rare woman.