Tinubu Was My Political Mentor, He Fought For Nigeria’s Democracy – Seun Kuti

Grammy-nominated afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti has opened up about his relationship with President Bola Tinubu who he described as his political mentor.

During a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the son of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti explained that he has a “robust” relationship with President Tinubu.

Seun Kuti revealed that the President and his contemporaries taught him many of the ideas he understands as they all fought for the country’s democracy.

He recalled that Tinubu was a prominent member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a group that played a pivotal role in the fight for democracy in Nigeria after the military annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was assumed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola.

Kuti stated, “My relationship with President Tinubu on a personal level is very robust. I grew up knowing him as an uncle. He was a very good friend of uncle Beko [Kuti]. He was a political mentor to me growing up as a child.

“Many of the ideas that I understand today, it was these men that taught me as a child growing up. Knowing them fighting for democracy in this country with NADECO, even when he [Tinubu] went on exile… Wale Soyinka, uncle Beko, Asiwaju, these were the men who fought for our democracy.

While Kuti acknowledged his personal closeness to Tinubu, he emphasized that he did not have a political relationship with him, and he didn’t believe it was anyone’s concern. He mentioned that his interactions with Tinubu were primarily for national issues and not for political affiliations.

“During Tinubu’s first term as Governor of Lagos State, I performed at all his rallies. I’ve always been close to him personally. But I don’t have any political relationship with him. And even at that, I don’t think it’s anybody’s business. I’ve not been to his house in years except when I need to see him for national issues.

“So, these things that people say are just to tarnish your image. They make it seem like everybody must be paid for what they’re saying. No, no, no. What’s the truth is the truth. And I say it regardless of fear or favour of anybody,” he said.

Seun Kuti noted that his assessment of President Tinubu’s performance so far was not favorable.

KanyiDaily recalls that Seun Kuti recently said that if Nigerians had access to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, most of those who oppose him would not.