Afrobeat musician and social critic, Femi Kuti, has said President Bola Tinubu should not be blamed solely for Nigeria’s current problems, arguing that the political system and Nigerians who allowed him to contest the presidency are also responsible.
Kuti made the remarks in an interview on Good News Naija, where he questioned how Tinubu was able to participate in the 2023 presidential election despite allegations and controversies surrounding his political career.
“Do you think Tinubu is the problem? The issue is that they didn’t stop him from getting there in the first place; it’s his problem,” Kuti said.
“That he had…, if all what they are saying is true, how did he contest? If we have men and women of calibre and integrity, he wouldn’t have been able to contest in the first place.”
The musician argued that Nigeria’s political class has remained largely interconnected despite changes in government, making it difficult for citizens to hold leaders accountable.
Kuti cited the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as an example of how the political establishment has operated over the years.
“Obasanjo put EFCC to arrest all the corrupt people. One of the first people EFCC arrested was his daughter, Iyabo,” he said.
“Then, Ribadu (Nuhu Ribadu) was removed, or he even ran away because, I think, they were after his life. So, they removed him from head of the EFCC.”
Kuti noted that Nuhu Ribadu, who served as the pioneer chairman of the EFCC, is now serving under Tinubu as the National Security Adviser, describing the development as evidence of continuity among members of Nigeria’s political elite.
“This same Ribadu is now Tinubu’s Security Adviser. You see, it is the same people. They go to the same parties, they go to the same weddings, they hug themselves, they do everything together,” he said.
His comments come amid widespread criticism of the Tinubu administration over economic hardship, rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity and other challenges confronting Nigerians.
Kuti said the country’s political system risks destroying young Nigerians’ faith in the possibility of a better future, particularly those who have grown up witnessing failure of accountability among political leaders.
“A young boy of 15 that has this history or 20, when he sees what is going on, where is your belief in the system? Where is your belief that you have a future in this country?” he asked.
Kuti has repeatedly used his music and public commentary to criticise Nigeria’s political leadership and challenge systemic corruption, poor governance and the failure of political institutions.