Dare Babalola
Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has stated that Afrobeat maestro Fela Anikulapo Kuti, would have been at odds with the current administration of President Bola Tinubu if he were alive today.
Sowore made this assertion via his social media on Monday, highlighting Fela’s history of outspoken criticism of government policies and powerful figures.
Sowore’s remarks came in response to President Tinubu’s tribute to Fela, following the legendary musician’s posthumous induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame, where he became the first African to receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy of America.
Tinubu, on Sunday, described Fela as a fearless voice of the people and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped the global soundscape.
“Fela was more than a musician. He was a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound,” the president said in a statement he signed personally.
Reacting, Sowore wrote, “If Fela Anikulapo-Kuti were still alive, he would almost certainly have clashed with today’s political power. After publicly calling Tinubu a criminal, he would likely have been arrested, with the DSS charging him cybercrime offences.
“His outspoken condemnation of the demolition of poor people’s homes would have drawn further retaliation, possibly lead the Nigeria Police Force @policeng to tear-gas his shrine, just as they once did in response to his protests.
“Meanwhile, Lagos thugs would have been unleashed to disrupt and attack his shows, punishing him for what would be labeled disrespect toward Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialabat. Did I forget that Tulumbu’s Immigration Service for don seize Fela international passport on his way to receive his Grammy award?”
