Afrobeat icon Femi Kuti has argued that President Bola Tinubu is not the major problem confronting Nigeria, blaming the country’s deeper challenges on institutional corruption.
Kuti made the remarks during a recent episode of the Good News Naija podcast, where he discussed the country’s political and social challenges.
According to the musician, Nigeria’s problems are deeply rooted in its institutions, particularly the judiciary, which he said should have played a stronger role in scrutinising political candidates.
Kuti questioned how Tinubu was able to contest the 2023 presidential election despite the various allegations that had been raised against him.
“Do you think Tinubu is the problem? The judiciary that didn’t stop him from getting there in the first place is a problem. If all the allegations against him are true, how did he contest?
“If we had men and women of calibre and integrity, he wouldn’t have been able to contest in the first place,” he said.
The Afrobeat musician argued that corruption in Nigeria extends beyond individual politicians, describing it as a systemic problem involving people entrusted with leadership across different sectors.
He maintained that many of those in positions of authority belong to the same elite class, which he believes has allowed corruption to become deeply entrenched in the country.
Kuti further warned that the level of institutional corruption in Nigeria could discourage young Nigerians and undermine their hopes for a better future.
His comments come amid continued public debate over the country’s political leadership, corruption and the performance of the Tinubu administration.
BACKSTORY:
Femi Kuti’s comments come amid ongoing debates over Nigeria’s political leadership, institutional corruption and the effectiveness of the country’s judicial system.
The musician has previously been outspoken on political and social issues, often using his music and public appearances to criticise governance and corruption in Nigeria.
In his latest remarks, however, Kuti shifted attention from the President to the institutions that make up the country’s political system. He argued that focusing solely on Tinubu ignores the broader problems that have allowed questionable political practices and corruption to persist.
His comments also come as Nigerians continue to debate the impact of corruption on governance, accountability and the prospects of young people in the country.
