Popular comedian Anita Asuoha, better known as Real Warri Pikin, has hit back hard at claims that people from Effurun politely asked her to rename her cancelled Delta State show. In a fiery new statement, she insisted the approach was aggressive, involved threats and a petition, and left her with no choice but to pull the plug.
The show, originally billed for September 20, 2026, at Monarchy Event Centre along Effurun-Sapele Road, was cancelled days earlier. Real Warri Pikin first cited “unfortunate divisions” in Delta State involving long-running tensions among Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri communities. She said she had endured eight years of bullying in her home state and could no longer continue under those conditions.
After the cancellation, some residents and groups claimed they only requested a simple name and address change to “Real Warri Pikin in Effurun” and that her pride blocked cooperation. Real Warri Pikin rejected that version completely.
“The people of Effurun are now saying they politely asked me to change the address and name of the show to ‘Real Warri Pikin in Effurun.’ If they politely asked me, we will not be here today. The show would’ve happened. They came to fight,” she stated.
She explained that her producer was shouted at before any proper introduction. A petition citing a bylaw followed, along with visits to the venue that she described as violent. Demands escalated to a public apology for “ignorance” and even the removal of “Warri” from her stage name.
“I never had a problem with changing the name of the show. Whatever names my show is given in Delta state will sell out. I just do not appreciate the bullying approach they took,” she said.
Her team suggested “Real Warri Pikin Live in Delta State” with the location listed as Effurun, but that was also rejected.
Real Warri Pikin added that incomplete messages were posted online while her producer’s replies acknowledging the issue were deleted in their version of how the events occurred.
“You didn’t even give us an opportunity to work on it before you came with violence,” she said.
The comedian stressed that she has repeatedly shown love to Delta State and does not perform there for profit. With a nine-month-old baby, a marriage, children, and an upcoming London show at the O2 Indigo, she said she chose to protect her energy and cancel rather than fight people she still calls her own.
“I’ve always been bullied in Delta State. Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri people would bully me… I chose to channel my energy to where I’m loved because you guys obviously do not love me. You don’t involve the court and police with someone you want to settle with. I’m done!”
She maintained that her brand is bigger than any single local government and that she represents all of Delta, Nigeria and Africa. Ticket holders are being refunded after significant money had already been spent on preparations.
Real Warri Pikin’s latest response makes clear she felt the manner of engagement, not the request itself, forced her hand.