Yeni Kuti, daughter of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has called for restraint and reconciliation amid the ongoing public dispute involving Nigerian singer Wizkid and members of the Kuti family, warning that the controversy casts Nigeria in a negative light rather than damaging her father’s legacy.
Speaking during an appearance on The View on TVC, Yeni described Wizkid as someone she respects deeply and expressed disappointment that he did not step in early to de-escalate the situation. She recalled their long-standing relationship and his early career ties to the New Afrika Shrine, where he performed as a backup singer during past editions of Felabration.
Yeni made it clear that she deliberately chose not to engage in the exchange of insults that followed the controversy, stressing that public feuds often harm bystanders more than the individuals involved. Drawing on a familiar proverb, she noted that when powerful figures clash, it is ordinary people who bear the consequences.
Her central appeal was for peace and unity, particularly at a time when Nigeria is preparing to celebrate Fela’s influence on a global stage. She argued that the dispute neither diminishes her father’s reputation nor tarnishes his family, but instead reflects poorly on the country itself. With international attention focused on Nigerian music and culture, she said the moment calls for maturity and reconciliation rather than division.
Yeni also questioned why Fela continues to be the subject of attacks decades after his death, describing the persistent references to his name as evidence of his enduring impact. According to her, the fact that conversations still revolve around him 27 years after his passing speaks more powerfully to his greatness than any criticism ever could.
In closing, she urged those involved to resolve their disagreements privately and allow the late musician’s legacy to rest. Her message was direct and firm: living artists should address their differences among themselves and refrain from dragging the memory of a cultural icon into present-day conflicts.
