The Africa Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has defended South African singer Tyla’s planned Lagos concert, urging Nigerians not to blame the artiste for xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
Sowore’s remarks come amid mixed reactions among Nigerians following the announcement of Tyla’s Lagos concert, which is part of the singer’s world tour.
While some have opposed the event over concerns about xenophobic attacks and the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa, others have supported the performance.
The Sahara Reporter publisher argued that entertainers should not be held responsible for the actions or failures of governments unless there is evidence that they supported or encouraged such actions.
Sowore, in a statement on Wednesday, said anger over the attacks should be directed at political leaders responsible for policies and conditions that contributed to xenophobic violence, rather than artistes.
“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,” Sowore wrote.
He also criticised South African leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, accusing them of failing to address the conditions that contributed to xenophobic attacks.
Sowore said Tyla, as a musician, should not be held accountable for the actions of politicians, insisting that her Lagos concert should go ahead.
“No one should hold a talented musician like Tyla 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,” he said.
The activist maintained that political accountability must remain central in discussions of xenophobia, warning that misplaced anger at artistes distracts from the deeper causes of violence and inequality across Africa.