Sowore opposes Tyla boycott, blames Tinubu, S’African leaders for xenophobia

Human rights activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called on Nigerians not to boycott the upcoming concert by South African singer Tyla in Lagos. Sowore argued that the anger over alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa should be directed at political leaders, not artists.

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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.

Amidst growing calls on social media to boycott Tyla's scheduled concert due to renewed attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, Sowore stated on his X handle that political leaders bear responsibility. He specifically mentioned Nigerian leaders like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and South African leaders like Cyril Ramaphosa, whose failures he believes contributed to the situation.

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No one should hold a talented musician like @Tyllaaaaaaa vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia.

Sowore asserted that there is no justification for holding Tyla accountable for xenophobic attacks. "No one should hold a talented musician like @Tyllaaaaaaa vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia," he wrote. He added that artists are generally not responsible for political failures unless they are proven enablers.

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Artistes are not responsible for the failures of politicians except where there is ample evidence they’re enablers.

Concluding his statement, Sowore declared, “Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on.” His remarks come as the debate intensifies, following reports of xenophobic violence and the death of a Nigerian national in South Africa. The Nigerian government has been involved in evacuating affected citizens, and the House of Representatives is investigating the losses suffered by Nigerians in the country.

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Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on.