Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has rejected calls for Nigerians to boycott South African singer Tyla’s upcoming Lagos concert, urging the public not to blame the artiste for the actions of political leaders
His comments come amid growing outrage over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, with some social media users calling for Tyla’s concert to be cancelled as a form of retaliation.
Reacting to the calls, Sowore argued that Nigerians should focus their anger on leaders whom he accused of creating the conditions that have left many Nigerians vulnerable abroad.
He criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the APC, claiming their leadership had reduced Nigerians to “second-class citizens” in many parts of Africa and beyond. He also blamed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government for failing to curb xenophobic violence.
Sowore maintained that Tyla should not be punished for the actions of politicians, stressing that musicians should only be held responsible if there is clear evidence they support or encourage such acts.
He wrote:
“Nigerians should direct their anger at their real enemies, the criminal leaders like @officialabat along its @OfficialAPCNg party who destroyed our country, reduced our people to second-class citizens across Africa and the rest of the world and the irresponsible South African leaders like @CyrilRamaphosa whose failures helped create the conditions for xenophobic violence.»
“No one should hold a talented musician like @Tyllaaaaaaa vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia. Artistes are not responsible for the failures of politicians except where there is ample evidence they’re enablers.
Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on. #RevolurionNOW”
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