Grammy-nominated Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was his political mentor during his childhood, News About Nigeria reports.
Kuti, the son of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, spoke about his close relationship with the President and their shared history in a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo.
Seun Kuti described his relationship with President Tinubu as ‘robust’, emphasising that he grew up knowing the President as an ‘uncle’ and political mentor.
He reflected on the role Tinubu played as a leading member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which fought for Nigeria’s democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, presumed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola.
Kuti stated, “My relationship with President Tinubu on a personal level is very robust. I grew up knowing him as an uncle. He was a very good friend of Uncle Beko [Kuti]. He was a political mentor to me growing up as a child. Many of the ideas that I understand today, it was these men that taught me as a child growing up.”
He further highlighted the significant contributions of figures like Tinubu, Wole Soyinka, and Beko Ransome-Kuti in the fight for democracy in Nigeria.
Seun Kuti clarified that he does not have a political relationship with President Tinubu and emphasised that his interactions with the President are related to national issues.
He also stated that he has not been to Tinubu’s house in years, except when necessary for important national matters.
“Knowing them fighting for democracy in this country with NADECO, even when he [Tinubu] went on exile… Wole Soyinka, uncle Beko, Asiwaju, these were the men who fought for our democracy.
“During Tinubu’s first term as Governor of Lagos State, I performed at all his rallies. I’ve always been close to him personally. But I don’t have any political relationship with him. And even at that, I don’t think it’s anybody’s business. I’ve not been to his house in years except when I need to see him for national issues.
“So, these things that people say are just to tarnish your image. They make it seem like everybody must be paid for what they’re saying. No, no, no. What’s the truth is the truth. And I say it regardless of fear or favour of anybody,” he said.
While acknowledging his personal connection with President Tinubu, Kuti also expressed his assessment of the President’s performance, suggesting that, so far, he has not been performing well in his view.
