Omoyele Sowore’s recent comments on social media have ignited a heated debate among Nigerians over the planned Lagos concert of South African singer Tyla.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and activist, urged Nigerians to direct their anger at political leaders rather than artists, insisting that “no one should hold a talented musician like Tyla vicariously liable for the crimes of xenophobia.”
He argued that artistes are not responsible for the failures of politicians unless they actively enable them and declared that “Tyla’s Lagos concert must go on.”
His remarks drew sharp criticism from many Nigerians who feel that hosting a South African artist at this time is insensitive, given the history of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
Some commentators accused Sowore of betraying Nigerian interests, with one user, Orji Chukwudi, saying, “I lived in South Africa for 14 years, so I’ve experienced firsthand the hostility, discrimination, and injustices many Nigerians face there… I no longer believe you have Nigeria’s interests at heart.”
Another critic, M. C Ugwummadu, warned that Sowore’s stance could damage his political ambitions, arguing that “you cannot be contesting for president of Nigeria and yet support people that kill Nigerians.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, stressing that South African citizens themselves carried out brutal attacks against Nigerians, and therefore should share in the blame.
“The anger of the people towards any single South African is justified,” one user wrote, while another insisted that Tyla’s silence on the issue makes her complicit.
Some voices went further, calling for a boycott of South African businesses and artists altogether, framing Tyla’s concert as “super disrespectful” considering strained relations between the two countries.
Yet not all responses were hostile. A few Nigerians supported Sowore’s position, arguing that punishing artists for political failures is misguided.
“What are you cancelling a 24-year-old Tyla for? She is not a politician,” one user wrote, adding that Nigerians should show they are different by channelling their anger toward bad governance instead.
Another commentator noted that cancelling Tyla would only mirror the same intolerance Nigerians condemn in South Africans.
Below are some crazy comments following Sowore’s tweet.
Iamcoolmood @mrcoolmood said: “In fact, there is another way about this shitty thing. The organisers should be allowed to let her come. Let ’em all fuckers waste their money to sponsor and promote the show. Then no one would attend the show. Not even a single person. I think this is better. This is gonna hurt the most.”
Orji Chukwudi @MetOrjiChukwudi, speaking directly to Sowore, said: “I lived in South Africa for 14 years, so I’ve experienced firsthand the hostility, discrimination, and injustices many Nigerians face there for no reason. That’s why I find your position difficult to understand. I have to be honest with you, Sowore. Most times, I don’t know where you stand. Do you stand with Nigeria and Nigerians, or with those who are against us? Honestly, it’s disappointing. Nigerians are boycotting Tyla, yet you seem to support her visit. Do you realise that many South African leaders and politicians would never take a position they believe goes against the sentiments of their own people?
I was genuinely considering supporting you, even volunteering as your bodyguard during your campaign, without expecting any pay. But not anymore. I no longer believe you have Nigeria’s interests at heart. From this moment on, the respect I had for you has greatly declined.”
Akínbọ̀bọ́lá@Official said: “When it’s time to do stupid presidential campaigns, we’d call you. Sit this one out.”
Yang, E of Jos.@_yang_EL said: “ This is exactly my stand. What are you cancelling a 24-year-old Tyla for?
She is not a politician, nor does she possess any powers to change that. Moreover, Nigerians should show the South Africans they are not like them. If we do exactly what they are doing, how then are we different from them? Channel your anger to cancel bad governance. Elect proper leaders who will fix this country. Nigerians are always channelling their anger the wrong way.”
C Ugwummadu Esq@MosesUgwum75755, stated: “Another presidential candidate bites the dust. You just dented your political ambition with this tweet. I know you are friends with Julius Malema, and you both think alike and act in the same way. Yes, if it were Julius Malema, he would ordinarily defend a Nigerian like he always does. But the day Nigerians kill a South African, Julius will turn against us. You cannot be contesting for president of Nigeria and yet support people that kill Nigerians. Indeed, Tyla is not part of the beasts killing Nigerians, but SHE IS A SOUTH AFRICAN. Have we not been civil enough? We still patronise MTN, ShopRite, Promasidor, Stanbic IBTC Bank, MultiChoice, etc., in spite of the destruction of the businesses of our countrymen. What else do you want from Nigerians? Must you bring shame to a docile people? Must they rub the insult on our faces? I agree that our govt made us prey to them, but do we continue to grovel before detractors? Read the room, bro; you are on a frolic of your own. Don’t be bohemian in everything. Don’t see everything as an avenue for a struggle. Sometimes, you conform.”
Tommie pips @Tommie_Pips, noted: “I cover you and your fellow yellow cap bandits in shame; her show should go on, yet she can’t condemn what her fellow carriers are doing to Nigerians. You will always try to spin every trending topic to politics. Sowore, I cover you in shame, you shameless political jobber man.”
Uchechukwu only@uchewithfacts also has something to say: “No one is holding her accountable or blaming her for the attack; we’re doing away with anyone coming from South Africa for now. Nigerians are killed and their shops looted, and you want us to be dancing with a South African musician…haba oga calm down o.”
@sensegiver1 stated: “Chief, have you seen why we have doubts about you? This is all you can say? Kuku, face your fundraising and selling of Tinubu must-go bags. You’re not trustworthy. Did the Tyla girl call out her government for xenophobia? You dey fck up Chief.”
Jantar The Botman@Jantar127, said: “No wonder Tinubu wins the election, so these are the crooked politicians who want to challenge him for Nigerians presidency? Neither you nor Peter Obi is ready at all. If to say SA don kpai your family before you no go dey yab this rubbish, you think say this one nah Aye vs Eye cults clash wey you dey handle for SUG Union that time abi.”
Polonium. 🇳🇬🇬🇧 🇸🇨@PoloM77, said: “Those who are silent in the face of evil are enablers! This is something you preach every day! Nigerians will not allow a SA agent to be used to hoodwink us…She should do her concert in South Africa! Period! It’s not about her! We will not endorse the arts of a culture that hates unity!
Omogoriola@waspery4love, noted: “For Tyla to even think of organising a concert in Nigeria at this time is super disrespectful. We are talking about a breakdown in bilateral relations between SA and Naija, due to the xenophobic attacks on our people in SA, and you are here chatting shit. You are a joke oga.”
Demigod 🇳🇬@kingslyistired said: “The anger of the people towards any single south African is justified in my opinion because last time I checked, it was the South African citizens themselves who carried out massive brutal attacks, killed innocent Nigerians and even decided to chase them off their country, they’re just and more as responsible for the anger and should receive a fair share of that anger too, it would had been a different case scenario whereby the president took himself publicly to do and carry out these hideous crimes against Nigerians (not still excluding him for not being able to protect the lives of Nigerians living in his country btw). Tinubu is to blame too because we all know that this type of nonsense wouldn’t have dared to take place under Fmr. Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime.”
Eugene Abels@eugeneabels, stated: “Everything must not be reduced to local politics. No foreigner has the right to maltreat you, irrespective of the state of our country. The plan to make Tyla come and work here at this time, when Nigerians are being killed in her country, is insensitive and unwelcome. Reject South African Artists across Africa and let those artists condemn the evil back home and stop being politically correct.”
Samuel Jadon@OdadaSamuel said: “Tyla has a large and wide range of numbers and followers; her voice is loud to some certain level. This xenophobia has been going on, but I’ve never seen her condemn it. So if she has been silent about this, what does that tell you as a Nigerian coming out to support her?”
Surprise1st@Surprise1st2 opines, “ Till Nigerians understand that Sowore is a typical politician and not in any way genuinely interested in the basic interests of Nigerians, they will continue to misunderstand his actions. His primary focus has always seemed to be occupying the presidential seat by any means possible. He rarely goes after individual criminals acting outside the circle of known politicians. Instead, he appears more interested in attacking prominent politicians because it generates more public attention and media coverage. Sowore can literally defend or align with individuals accused of wrongdoing, and he has been doing that over the years just to help him fight established politicians and advance his political ambition. Many Nigerians believe Sowore has their best interests at heart. Lol, you all will get it cleared one day because tell me how this issue takes relate with Tinubu now ..lol. It’s well.”
