2 Baba to join protest against Nigerian government

Days ago, Nigerian social media users spread news of the ‘African Queen’ singer leading a protest against the Nigerian government headed by President Buhari on 5 February. The protest arranged because of the hardship the average Nigerian has faced under the current government, which was heralded into office last year. One of the complaints regards the declining value of the naira, Nigeria's official currency.

Because of the depreciation in the naira, which now trades weakly against other currencies, costs of commodities in the country have doubled and almost tripled in some cases. News of 2 Baba’s spearheading of the protest was thus well received.

His initial social media post read in part: "Where are the recovered looted funds? Why do we still have the executive arms and legislatures still enjoying their salaries and allowances while we hear there's no money to pay workers? Why do we still see ceaseless power failures with no explanation and hope of getting out of it unlike before?

"Why do we keep seeing peace talks in Niger Delta, fulani heardsmen and ipob without any solutions being reached, while the strategies keeps aggravating the people involved as political leaders stage forums to extort funds in the name of addressing their subjects? Why did we have petrol price rise to 145 for the sake of global oil price crash and removal of subsidy but such price is still being maintained despite significant re-awakening of the oil price from $30/barrel to $56/barrel? Who is to be held accountable for the sudden and continuous hike in price of commodities in the market, where for the first time in history, Nigeria is suddenly selling kerosene at 400 naira per litre as against 50 naira per litre, diesel at 300 naira per litre as against 100 naira per litre and petrol from 87 naira to 145 naira?"

The artist has now said that, although involved in the protest, the forthcoming protest was not his original idea; he only helped to make the news spread. Nonetheless, he will be joining the protest.

“I am blessed to have a platform that allows me to reach a lot of people at a time,” he wrote on social media to clarify his position. “I believe this voice also comes with a responsibility to use it to speak up for my people. So, when I received the broadcasts that had been going round for some days calling for protests against the state of the country I posted it in a show of support.”

He added: “My intention was never to take credit for the movement but rather amplify the voices of the organization credited with the widely circulated message. To my colleagues that have joined their voices to this call, thank you for showing the Nigerian people they are not alone. I remain committed to contributing to the well being of my people in any little way I can. One love! #WeWillProtest.”