Nigerians have continued to react to the squabble between Peter Okoye, a famous Nigerian singer and internet personality, and his industry colleague, Seun Kuti, over support for presidential candidates in the 2023 elections, glamsquad reports
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Remember that Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, described Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as an opportunist in a recent interview on TheMicOnPodcast. He had insisted that no politician could save Nigeria except Nigerians themselves.
Seun emphasized that Peter Obi is an opportunist who switched to a “socialist party after losing the primaries at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,” and that Obi is simply an internet president whose election begins and ends on social media.
In response, Peter Okoye, an Obi supporter, attacked Seun in a series of tweets on his Twitter handle, dismissing his comments against the LP candidate.
“Dude, just keep quiet,” he said. I was extremely disappointed. He just erased his father’s past. You stated that only Nigerians can save Nigeria; are PO and the other candidates Nigerians? Shame, shame, shame.”
“My late Father was a nobody, but today everyone knows the Okoyes,” Peter boasted of his accomplishment. Dude, try removing “KUTI” from your name and see if you’re still relevant. Maintain your Local SHRINE while people like us and others continue to excel on a global scale. SHAMELESS CAN’T BE SHAMED. You never had a music career to begin with. “All you do is brag about your family history.”
Peter dragged his nephew, Made Kuti, into the drama and told Seun that he should learn from him (Made) because he is well-guided and clean.
This did not sit well with Made Kuti, who told Peter Okoye to keep his name out of his mouth.
Making a dig at Peter on Twitter, Made wrote: “Good afternoon, Peter.” Please do not use me to belittle, disparage, or insult my Uncle. I’m not sure how we are perceived, so I should clarify that we remain united as a family and intend to remain so. Thank you very much.”
Some worried Nigerians, particularly entertainers who got involved in the controversy, said there was no need for the fight.
Reacting to this, popular Nigerian comedian, Basketmouth in a trending tweet on social media, said: “If our fathers never existed, we won’t be here. Nobody creates themselves.”
In a tweet, singer Brymo chastised Peter Okoye for asking their colleague, Seun Kuti, to remove the word “Kuti” from his name in order to test his relevance. He thought Peter should have removed the post.
Portable, a controversial singer, stated in a video posted on his Instagram page that Peter Okoye’s family is still alive but out of the spotlight.
“I heard you were disrespecting Fela Kuti’s family.
“You say you and your family are still alive, and una no blow again,” he wrote.
“Peter Obi has already crossed the Rubicon, so all this ‘they’re all the same’ and ‘none of them is a saint’ talk is a waste of Seun Kuti’s time,” David Hundeyin tweeted. It has no effect at this point other than to irritate people. All of this discussion took place about a year ago. It’s far too late now.” (sic)
Daniel Regha, a popular social media commentator, chastised Peter Okoye for claiming that Seun Kuti would be insignificant without the name of his legendary Afrobeat father.
“Peter Okoye is silly for trying to berate a fellow artiste, he’s nowhere near Kuti’s level. It’s fine to disagree, but do so respectfully and lead by example,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Without Fela Kuti, the only Seun we know works with Channels,” one Lazarus Chiegene wrote in the comments section. But do you recognize the name Psquare Father? Psquare is a self-made artist in the music industry.”
In response to the ongoing drama, Kemi Olunloyo said that being a Grammy nominee living in the trenches is preferable to living in mansions with no Grammy nominations, and she urged Peter Okoye to apologize to the Kutis for the disrespectful remark about Fela’s shrine and legacy.
Without a doubt, the upcoming presidential election has divided Nigeria’s entertainment industry into various camps as they promote their preferred candidates.