No One Should Hold Singer Tyla Responsible for Xenophobia – Sowore

LAGOS — Human rights activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has rejected calls for the cancellation of South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla’s upcoming concert in Lagos. The backlash followed Tyla’s announcement to include Lagos in her tour for the new album, A-Pop. Some Nigerians on social media expressed displeasure, citing recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Since protests by South Africans against black foreigners in March, hundreds of Nigerians have been evacuated by the Federal Government. Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, also condemned the killing of a Nigerian national, describing it as unacceptable. Despite government calls for calm, some youths have called for boycotts as a way to send a message to South Africa over the treatment of foreigners. However, Sowore said Nigerians should direct their anger at political leaders rather than artistes. He urged citizens to hold accountable “leaders like Tinubu and APC who destroyed our country, reduced our people to second-class citizens across Africa and the rest of the world,” and South African leaders like President Cyril Ramaphosa “whose failures helped create the conditions for xenophobic violence.”“No one should hold a talented musician like @Tyllaaaaaaa vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia. Artistes are not responsible for the failures of politicians except where there is ample evidence they’re enablers,” Sowore stated.He added: “Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on. #RevolutionNOW

Written by News Room