Xenophobic Attacks: Sowore faces backlash for backing Tyla’s Lagos concert
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineHuman rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2027 poll, Omoyele Sowore, has come under criticism after firmly opposing a boycott of South African singer Tyla’s planned Lagos concert over alleged xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The reactions followed the announcement of Tyla’s APOP World Tour, which includes a Lagos concert scheduled for December 22.
The announcement triggered mixed reactions among Nigerians on social media, with some users calling for a boycott of the event as a protest against the reported attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Reacting to the development, Sowore urged Nigerians to focus their anger on leaders whose policies and actions, according to him, contributed to the challenges facing Nigerians at home and abroad.
Sowore gave the reaction in a statement shared via his social media handles on Wednesday.
“No one should hold a talented musician like Tyla 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 wrote.
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Despite the widespread criticism his earlier remarks attracted, Sowore argued in a follow-up on Thursday that ordinary Africans should not be punished for the failures of their leaders, insisting that Tyla should be allowed to perform in Nigeria.
“I will never participate in, encourage, or justify the victimization of any fellow African… Africans must steadfastly hold their leaders accountable for their ineptitude, corruption, and incompetence, instead of turning against one another,” Sowore wrote.
He added that “Tyla must be allowed to ply her trade freely,” maintaining that the real problem was not ordinary Africans, but failed leadership that fostered corruption, economic hardship and the conditions for division.
His comments immediately triggered a wave of reactions, with hundreds of Nigerians flooding the comment section, where the overwhelming majority rejected his position and argued that the controversy was bigger than entertainment.
Several commenters insisted that the South African singer had never publicly condemned repeated xenophobic attacks targeting Nigerians and other African migrants in her country.
“I totally disagree with you. Nothing less than a total boycott will do,” Toba Folaranmi wrote.
Fidelis Soriwei queried the activist’s submissions. “How is it victimization? The time and the mood of the injured are against this. Nobody hates her. Even Tyler did not use her massive platform to condemn the heinous crimes of the Zulu mobs. She opted for the comfort of silence. For now, she can stay away.”
Another commenter, Humanist Adeyemi Oluwatosin, argued that Tyla’s silence amounted to complicity, saying, “She should have used her platform to speak out against xenophobic attacks.”
Olumide Solomon said, “Omoyele Sowore, please, tell us how many times Tyla have spoken up against xenophobia in her home country South Africa?”
Some warned that Sowore’s position could hurt his political ambitions while others praised him for refusing to blame individuals for government failures.
“I understand your point, but for someone who want to become the president, I feel you should stand with the people, there is nothing wrong in being diplomatic as regards this issue,” Dee Dimeji wrote.
Ayoyinka Oni commended the presidential hopeful’s position. “You are absolutely correct leader. Unfortunately, most Nigerians quickly like to pick on the quick target. While l agree that Tyla should be challenged on what her stand is regarding what happened in South Africa, she should not be prevented from practicing her trade. We should not become the oppressors we fight,”
On his part, Gabriel Ogbadu Akpoko stated: “My leader, Omoyele Sowore with a golden heart. Your struggle for humanity will not be in vain.”
Meanwhile, some commenters were neutral, that is, they neither criticise nor commend the activist.
Fitilayo Ayodele Oretuga-Jilla, wrote, “Sowore has never said you must accept his opinion, and that’s why he encourages us to have our individual opinions too. In fact, he always asks do not cover or hesitate to point out his errors because he recognises he is not the Supreme Being. And, I love him for that, for he has demonstrated lots of times that he is a listen leader when we point out his errors.”
Tolu Bells put his thoughts differently. “Omoyele Sowore’s thinking is too sophisticated for Nigerians especially this genz generation. Of course, I do not agree with him even if his point is genuine, but that do not mean I must act condescending in displaying my intellectual immaturity and height of stupidity by passing insult at him as so far seen in the comment section. I wonder if those passing insults at Sowore on his opinion do same with their parents whenever they disagree on matters at home.”
The backlash comes amid renewed concerns over the treatment of Nigerians in South Africa following reports of xenophobic attacks and the death of Nigerian national Chika Ibe in Cape Town, which has drawn widespread condemnation and reactions from Nigerians online.
As of press time, neither Tyla’s management nor the local event promoters have announced any changes, and the concert remains scheduled to proceed.
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