Nigerians discuss Fela Anikulapo-Kuti after 2face pulls out of February 6 protest
Pop icon 2face Idibia has pulled out of February 6 anti-government protest, and his decision hasn’t gone down well with Nigerians.
2face cited possible disruption of law and order by protesters. His decision came after police “strongly advised” organisers to shelve the mass action.
Several Nigerians have begun reacting to the decision, some who have labelled the singer a coward for “chikening out” of the protest that was meant to highlight the sufferings of the masses under President Buhari-led administration.
Some are, however, of the opinion that 2face was right to call off the protest, fearing for the safety of his family and how Nigerians are quick to forget such “heroes” after they lose their lives fighting for the people.
2face’s decision has prompted Nigerians to go down memory lane, reminiscing how selfless legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti fought gallantly for the general populace.
“Leading a popular people oriented movement is not for the faint hearted. Mandela, Fela, Gani Fawehinmi paid the price. So also Nnamdi Kanu,” a Twitter user noted.
Fela was imprisoned many times by the government and in 1978, his mother Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was thrown from a third-floor window of her son’s Kalakuta Republic compound by armed military personnel. She died as a result of the injuries sustained few months after.
“Fela lost his property, freedom and mother to the Nigerian struggle. What did you guys do? You voted in the man who did it all to him,” another Nigerian recalled the legendary musician’s struggle.
Another Nigerian said, “Fela that they threw his mother from balcony and burnt his house. You say make another man lead protest. How many of us fit?”
Many commenters rue the sad reality that the same challenges Fela highlighted in his struggles are still prevalent in Nigeria today.
See more reactions;
Fela sang about the electricity problem in the 1970s – 40 years later, the same problem – only that it is now worse.
— Onye Nkuzi (@cchukudebelu) February 3, 2017
Same Obasanjo, Babangida, Buhari & d likes dat Fela sang about decades ago are still in power today.. Meanwhile, Fela is long gone.. Think >
— SirLAMPS (@Super_Spotter) February 5, 2017
Fela that they threw his mother from balcony and burnt his house. You say make another man lead protest. How many of us fit?
— Zero. (@hassytee) February 5, 2017
TuFace should b encouraged to take a stiffer stand next time. Not every musical icon can be like FELA. Recent events makes me miss him. B gd
— Oyewole Michael (@Rolex7Michael) February 5, 2017
The Fela that stood up for us against the leaders then, y’all only remember him now when you want to compare him to Wizkid. Rest abeg
— Ayimpi (@__tunde) February 4, 2017
Fela lost his property,freedom and mother to the Nigerian struggle. What did you guys do? You voted in the man who did it all to him.
— Cyrus Tha Virus (@Cyrus_ThaVirus) February 5, 2017
Leading a popular people oriented movement is not for the faint hearted.
Mandela, Fela, Gani Fawehinmi paid the price.
So also Nnamdi Kanu.— The Jonathanian (@The_Jonathanian) February 4, 2017
As we are writing about fela for his bravery, posterity will talk about us as cowards and people with no balls. #FixNigeria
— ProudYoruba (@Aayanfemi) February 5, 2017
One person with passion is better than a million people with interest. Recent events have shown Fela and Gani were passionate about Nigeria.
— . (@Tomyboiz) February 5, 2017
After fela was beaten and brutalized. What changed? https://t.co/adIrA2lwMc
— G! (@oluwo_g) February 5, 2017
Woris this am hearing Tuface cancelled the protest…Fela shoe is too big for any man to wear
— Fish (@Gabrielidumu) February 5, 2017
I’ll never pontificate Fela… He might ve bn a lone voice in wilderness bt he rep every ills wrong wiv Nigerian youth. Waste of potentials
— Ademola Adeyemo (@Dem_zie) February 5, 2017
Nnamdi Kanu or Fela wouldn’t have backed out. Tuface is a coward a wannabe. No frigging excuses for his cowardice. No excuses for the clown pic.twitter.com/s2x6u8N8Uu
— Mightymax (@Freemightymax) February 5, 2017
No Money, No Security, No light, d problems are endless and we shud not protest. As Fela said suffering and smiling #Tuface #TufaceProtest
— Ifeanyi Ohamobi (@kulbenz) February 5, 2017
I seem not to understand the comparison between Fela and @official2baba Both are simply different persons of different generation and ideal
— ‘Lalekan Yinusa (@lalekanyinusa) February 5, 2017
Fela was never in anybody’s pocket.
— Christopher Eweka (@Chris__Haze) February 5, 2017
Police Don flog u b4? There will only be one Fela Anikulapo Kuti! Every other “young fela” is just a pretender n a coward.
— Abiodun David (@Ebire_Abiodun) February 5, 2017
The country isn’t worth dying for anymore. In Fela’s time there was some sort of hope. Now there’s little to nothing
— GI✪VANNA ✪M✪BA (@pikcha_perfect) February 5, 2017
