Femi Kuti, the eldest son of Fela Kuti, the late Afrobeat legend, says he rejected Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s plea to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The musician, 58, was addressing insinuations he had aligned with political interests on Friday.
Femi said that he had refused to join politics as he had yet to find a party that has the interest of Nigerians at heart.
When questioned further, he said that part of his reasons for rejecting Osinbajo’s plea was that President Mohammadu Buhari, who is also a member of the party, jailed his father in the 1980s.
“I want to state for clarity and posterity my role in the Ojota protest. I was invited for what I and many believed was a genuine cause regarding the cost of fuel,” the veteran singer wrote on Twitter.
I want to state for clarity and posterity my role in the Ojota protest. I was invited for what I and many believed was a genuine cause regarding the cost of fuel. As soon as I found out it was politically motivated I pulled out. I got a…
— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) September 4, 2020
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“As soon as I found it was politically motivated I pulled out. I got a lot of backlash at the time but stood my ground. For the record, I have NEVER and will NEVER affiliate with any political party.
“…that I don’t feel has the genuine interest of the people of Nigeria at heart. Even when the VP approached me to join APC, I blatantly refused as I also refused to join PDP or any other party.
approached me to join APC, I blatantly refused as I also refused to join PDP or any other political party.
Advertisement— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) September 4, 2020
“My main reason was president Buhari jailing my father in the 80s. Second, I didn’t believe any of the two major political parties had/have the genuine interestest of the Nigerian people at heart.”
Yes VP Prof Osinbanjo. And I refused as I have refused every invitation thus far to join any political party. https://t.co/GDxVCjpcKo
Advertisement— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) September 4, 2020
Responding to his statement, a fan further prodded him by writing: “My own is don’t just sit down and watch. Don’t be a spectator! Play your own role just like your father of blessed memory did.
“We can’t afford to fold our hands and bequeath a horrible nation to our children and generations.”
It would be great to u called out other children of political activist/former independent fighter etc and not just Fela’s children who have spent their lives on same topic whiles other watch. https://t.co/9k3LXenI5B
— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) September 4, 2020
In his reply, Femi wrote: “It would be great to you called out children of political activist/former… and not just Fela’s children who have spent their lives on the same topic while others watch.”
The singer’s comments come as citizens continue to protest Buhari’s approval of the implementation of a cost-reflective electricity tariff for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
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