Seun Musician and activist Seun Kuti has urged Nigerians to go beyond mere protests and work towards real political change.
During a recent appearance on the Rubbin Minds show, Kuti emphasized that simply holding demonstrations is not enough to address the country’s problems.
“I am going to paraphrase Martin Luther King, but he said something like, ‘I would rather live in a warzone that is just than live in a peaceful place where there are no rights because there is nothing more peaceful than an unjust society’,” Kuti said.
He noted that Nigerians were once known for their resilience and happiness, but now that they are speaking up for their rights, they are being charged.
Kuti criticized the current state of activism in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for organized and systemic change rather than mere demonstrations.
“What I will tell Nigerians is that protest is not enough. I see protests as a child going to a loving parent complaining, ‘Oh, mummy, I don’t want to eat this,’ because the daddy and mummy care. But these people don’t care; that’s why I don’t preach protest only; I preach mass organisation because we the people must also organise ourselves for power,” he explained.
Kuti stressed that Nigerians must send signals that they are ready to replace the current leaders with new representatives from their side of the divide.
He also criticized the current capitalist system and called for a shift towards a more socialist approach.
“It’s not enough that people protest, it is the start of the dance. We need to mass mobilise into a socialist identity to realise this country from this capitalist nonsense we are experiencing,” Kuti stated.
Kuti’s call to action emphasizes the need for Nigerians to work towards a more organized and systemic approach to achieving political change.
