To add fuel to the fire of the ongoing political controversy surrounding the Nigerian general elections, two Nigerian artists, Seun Kuti and Peter Okoye of Psquare, are now at odds with one another.
On Monday, Seun said that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party, was the internet’s favourite, but that he might not do much if he were elected.
Seun said that Mr Obi is an opportunist who can’t be trusted to bring success to Nigeria.
This came up in an interview with Seun Okinbaloye of Channels TV’s Mic On podcast.
Seun, who just turned 40, released a follow-up video on Wednesday in which he restated his belief that only Nigerians are capable of saving their nation.
At about the 15-minute mark of the 30-minute clip, the Afrobeat performer branched off in a different direction and indirectly dissed the Okoye brothers.
Seun, who plays a number of instruments, criticised the musical group Psquare for their abrupt support of the LP candidate.
Pop duo Psquare (consisting of brothers Peter and Paul Okoye) have been vocal in their support for Mr Obi’s campaign. They have even participated as performers in his political rallies.
If you want to know what’s good for Nigeria, ask Peter. “After Psquare don make enough shows for all the rich guys and all the politicians of this nation, na today Na Peter wan dey tell me to say him know what’s good for Nigeria?”
Assuming they’ve already participated in the game. They’ve made them sound better than they are. They make time to come over and tell you how much they adore you today. Ten years ago, why didn’t they adore you? He added, “Ask Psquare why they didn’t adore you 20 years ago when they were leaping up and down with PDP all over the place.
To everyone’s amazement, Seun exploded when Mr. Obi paid a visit to his older brother, Femi Kuti, in August 2022.
A group of “Obidients” are threatening to set fire to the Afrika Shrine, and Femi Kuti is the one who made the announcement.
According to the elder Kuti, Mr Obi’s “Obidients” fan base threatened to torch the New Afrika Shrine in the days preceding the visit because of a deceptive news story.
It was stated by an internet news source that Femi had compared Obidients to zombies.
To the people of Nigeria, Mr Obi said during his visit that he would conduct a campaign centred on their concerns.
Peter, commonly known as Mr P., was enraged by Seun’s comments and promptly started calling him names.
In response to Seun’s assertion, Peter stated that the Okoye brothers had never advocated for a candidate.
He pointed out that the choir only started singing after President Buhari was officially named head of state.
He also suggested that Seun learn from his nephew, Made Kuti, who he said was morally upright and a good role model.
“Man, I feel your annoyance. However, please keep in mind that there is enough of room in the sky for all birds. Our great Fela’s stairway to success has been ascended by @burnaboy and other outstanding musicians. Be respectful, and spend time in prayer to your deity.
God has blessed my life’s path, and for that I am eternally grateful. Your continued well-being will be a focus of my prayers. He said, “Learn from your nephew @Madekuti since he is properly led and clean.”
Further, Peter argued that Seun had obliterated the legacy of his late father, Abami Eda, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.
“That dude just wiped his dad out of existence. You said that Nigeria’s salvation lay solely in the hands of the Nigerian people. Are the people of Nigeria not represented by PO and the other candidates? “SHAME SHAME SHAME,” he said in a now-deleted tweet.
Up the ante on rage
Angered by Peter’s remarks, Seun challenged him to a political argument instead of insulting his loved ones.
He said that the Okoyes had shamed themselves online for financial gain, and that Mr. P had the gall to use his late father and nephew as a means of ridiculing him.
Why don’t you use your brother instead of your nephew to communicate with me? Do you not take pride in who you are? You’re talking to me through my family after you publicly shamed your own on the internet, yab yab’d yourself, and threw yourself in any direction for financial gain.
When you worked for Buhari in 2015, it meant that you were playing for him. You presume to assert that they will not contact us at such trying circumstances. Nonetheless, we are able to confidently decline offers. We won’t be chopping anything and everything, he continued.
Kuti Made
Moreover, both artists’ fans have voiced their opinions in the wake of the controversy. Femi Kuti’s oldest son, Made, begged Peter to disregard the situation since his family is strong.
“Don’t use me to put down my uncle or say anything nasty about him. I need to set the record straight since I have no idea how we are interpreted. We are a strong team and plan to remain so. “Thank you,” he finally managed to mumble.
Portable, another controversial musician, chimed in by accusing Peter of “insulting the Fela Kuti family.”
Standing next to a photo of the late Abami Eda, Portable unleashed a 30-second tirade in which he didn’t hold back the f-bombs. You wun claim your family una still alive, una no blow again,” he told me.
Reactions
On the other hand, many other Twitter users have publicly taken a stance.
Mr. Obi’s fans (also known as “Obidients”) have been quite critical of Seun and his music.
