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Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has rejected calls for Nigerians to boycott South African singer Tyla’s forthcoming Lagos concert, arguing that public outrage over xenophobic attacks in South Africa should be directed at political leaders rather than the Grammy-winning artiste.
Sowore made the remarks in a post on X on Wednesday amid growing debate surrounding Tyla’s scheduled performance in Lagos on December 22, following renewed reports of alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
He maintained that neither Tyla nor other entertainers should be held responsible for the actions or failures of political leaders.
“Nigerians should direct their anger at their real enemies, the criminal leaders like @officialabat and the @OfficialAPCNg party who destroyed our country, reduced our people to second-class citizens across Africa and the rest of the world, and the irresponsible South African leaders like @CyrilRamaphosa whose failures helped create the conditions for xenophobic violence,” Sowore wrote.
He added that artists should only be blamed where there is clear evidence that they support or encourage such actions.
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“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.
“Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on,” he added.
The controversy followed Tyla’s announcement of her APOP World Tour, which includes Lagos among its destinations before concluding with performances in Cape Town and Johannesburg in January 2027.
The announcement sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians calling for a boycott in protest against the alleged mistreatment of Nigerians in South Africa, while others argued that cultural exchanges should not be disrupted by political tensions between the two countries.
The debate has also intensified following reports of the alleged death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe in police custody in Cape Town, an incident that has renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa and prompted fresh calls for accountability.
