Seun Kuti and Aisha Yesufu have thrown jabs at each other across social media, sparking a clash of ideologies that’s got followers of both camps talking.
The rift began on a TV program, where Seun Kuti took a direct swipe at Yesufu’s advocacy for women’s rights. Seun found irony in her support for women’s freedom while wearing a hijab, hinting that she should start by “liberating herself.” Taking things a step further, he argued that adopting Christian or Muslim customs amounts to abandoning African heritage.
Seun didn’t hold back: “It is the Africanness in us that is helping your European behaviour. Na wetin make me and Aisha Yesufu get an argument for TV, she wan dey talk anyhow, I told her father off,” he said, continuing, “Once you are a Christian and a Muslim, you have abandoned Africanness. That one tied hijab say e wan liberate Nigerian women. Mherfker liberate yourself from your Hijab first.”
Yesufu didn’t wait long to counterpunch, taking her grievances to X (formerly Twitter). She accused Seun of riding on her coattails to stay relevant, claiming his “karaoke business” is struggling to make an impact. And in a pointed shot at Seun’s lineage, she noted that if his father, Fela Kuti, had shown more restraint, she wouldn’t have to contend with Seun’s antics today.
“Seun Kuti @RealSeunKuti wants to trend with my name as his karaoke business no make am blow alongside those wey dey do music,” she wrote. “I don’t blame him sha! If only his father had discipline over his loin we would not be dealing with the consequence of that lack of discipline! Person wey people dey book im show because dem wan see a caricature of his father even if they can’t have the real thing.”
The verbal sparring has left no room for a truce, as each hit seems to intensify the crossfire. With both Seun and Yesufu known for speaking their minds, this clash of titans has followers captivated—each side standing firmly behind their icon. For now, the feud rages on, with neither showing signs of backing down.
