Omoyele Sowore defends Tyla, says she should not be blamed for xenophobic attacks in South Africa. He urges Nigerians to focus on government failures instead.
South African music star Tyla is set to perform in Lagos on December 22 as part of her world tour. However, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions online. Some Nigerians have called for a boycott of the concert following past xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Among those pushing for the boycott is media personality Do2dtun, who believes the concert should not go ahead. Meanwhile, 2027 presidential hopeful Omoyele Sowore has taken a different position. In a Facebook post, he argued that talented entertainers should not be punished for crimes they did not commit. According to him,
“No one should hold a talented musician like Tyla liable for the crimes of xenophobia.”
He added that no artiste deserves to be cancelled unless there is clear evidence linking them to such attacks.
Sowore also urged Nigerians to direct their frustration at the right target. He said the real problem is the failure of the Nigerian government to protect its citizens. According to him, the government has allowed Nigerians to be treated like second-class citizens across Africa and other parts of the world. He believes this issue deserves more attention than attacking an innocent entertainer.
His comments have now added a fresh angle to the debate. While some Nigerians agree that Tyla should not be blamed, others insist that the concert sends the wrong message after repeated xenophobic incidents. As the December show draws closer, the conversation continues to divide opinions online.
One question remains: should music be separated from politics, or should public events reflect national concerns?
