The Nigerian investigative journalist, Kemi Olunloyo has once again taken to the street of Instagram to address the ongoing rift between Peter Okoye and Seun Kuti. The rift was a result of a comment Seun had made during an interview. He opined that it takes the effort of dedicated Nigerians to save Nigeria, not an opportunist like Peter Obi.
Peter Okoye who considers this a condescending statement to make about the Labour Party presidential aspirant, Peter Obi had in turn fired back at Seun watering down the legacy of his grandfather, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Afrobeat legend. Peter had remarked:
Dude just erased his father’s history. You said only the people of Nigeria can save Nigeria. Is PO and the rest candidates not Nigerian people? Shame! Shame! Shame!!!”
However, this event has led to a back-and-forth between the Nigerian singers. Reacting to this situation she considers a ridicule of Fela’s legacy, Kemi Olunloyo recounted how she was attacked. She alongside her brother, Akintayo were on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on the 28th of April 1978. This was during an ongoing protest staged by University students over increased tuition just because they were riding in a government car.
She further narrates how she got admitted to the same ward as Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Seun’s grandmother. The latter was attacked two weeks prior by the Nigerian army under the command of Gen.Olusegun Obasanjo on the 13th of April 1978. Olunloyo in her statement also attributed her love for activism to Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. She vehemently states she believes had left her legacy on the hospital bed she was admitted.
She says:
The African shrine will forever be a solemn place to remember Grandma and Uncle Fela’s legacy. It is NOT A LOCAL SHRINEIt is where many of us pay respect to the late Kuti family members who passed on. Grandma, FELA, Uncle Beko and Uncle Olikoye served this country in different areas.
Don’t diminish their legacy. It is wrong to refer to their iconic landmark home as a “local shrine” at the expense of Peter Obi’s campaign. Obi will not approve of this manner of reckless talk.
… I hope Peter and Paul Okoye can apologize for their attack on the Kuti name and Seun forgive them. Being a grammy nominee living in mansions with no Grammy nominations…. Let’s guard or tongues during #Nigeriadecide2023.”
