Growing up Tinubu was my Political Mentor, he fought for democracy – Seun Kuti

Seun Kuti, the Grammy-nominated afrobeat singer, has openly acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his political role model. In a recent conversation with media personality Chude Jideonwo, he shared insights into his relationship with the president.

He mentioned that he has a strong and close connection with the president, regarding him as an “uncle” and emphasizing that Tinubu served as a mentor during his formative years.

Seun Kuti also reminisced about Tinubu’s prominent role as a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which actively championed the cause of democracy in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was widely believed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola.

According to him; “My relationship with President Tinubu on a personal level is very robust. I grew up knowing him as an uncle. He was a very good friend of Uncle Beko [Kuti]. He was a political mentor to me growing up as a child.

“Many of the ideas that I understand today, it was these men that taught me as a child growing up. Knowing them fighting for democracy in this country with NADECO, even when he [Tinubu] went on exile… Wale Soyinka, uncle Beko, Asiwaju, these were the men who fought for our democracy.

“During Tinubu’s first term as Governor of Lagos State, I performed at all his rallies. I’ve always been close to him personally. But I don’t have any political relationship with him. And even at that, I don’t think it’s anybody’s business. I’ve not been to his house in years except when I need to see him for national issues.

“So, these things that people say are just to tarnish your image. They make it seem like everybody must be paid for what they’re saying. No, no, no. What’s the truth is the truth. And I say it regardless of fear or favour of anybody.”