By Olaitan Ibrahim
Afrobeat musician and activist Seun Kuti has once again stirred controversy with his sharp criticism of Nigeria’s political system and electoral body.
In a recent Instagram Live session, Seun Kuti condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for not reopening its voter registration portal since 2019.
He accused the commission of deliberately suppressing young Nigerians’ political participation by blocking access to registration.
“Brothers and sisters, since 2019, INEC has not opened any registration portal. Instead, they register people up and down. INEC has refused to open the portal. They don’t want Nigerians to grow politically,” Kuti said.
He went on to lambast Nigeria’s political landscape for being dominated exclusively by right-wing conservative forces, leaving no room for leftist or progressive voices.
“With the three political systems that are there, INEC cannot change anything. We need more political voices. Nigeria has no left. Nigeria is full of conservative right-wing politicians. We have right-wing fascist politicians only,” he added.
Seun Kuti’s critique didn’t stop at INEC. He fiercely criticized Nigerian politicians, describing them as “mad” and overly religious “nutjobs” whose faith has clouded their judgment and governance.
“Mad people that would kill people! I mean, look at Rivers State. That’s a fascist way of governance. That is a right-wing government style. ‘My way or the highway’ — they start killing people, shooting in certain states, and bringing military administration,” Kuti said.
“All our politicians are religious nutjobs. All of them, religion don scatter their brains. Rivers State is the symbol of right-wing fascism in Africa. INEC has brought us into right-wing fascist politics. They are all right-wing. Right, totally right-wing. None of them are Pan-Africanists.”