Sowore Opposes Calls Against Tyla’s Nigeria Visit, Blames Failed African Leadership

Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called on Nigerians to reject attempts to target South African singer Tyla over renewed anger surrounding xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

His remarks come amid growing opposition on social media to the singer’s proposed visit to Nigeria, with some Nigerians arguing that South African entertainers should not be welcomed while attacks against Nigerians continue in parts of South Africa.

Reacting to the controversy, Sowore said ordinary Africans should not be punished for crimes they neither committed nor encouraged.

“I will never participate in, encourage, or justify the victimization of any fellow African, or any human being, for crimes they did not commit, create, or enable,” he said.

The activist argued that Africans should direct their frustrations toward political leaders rather than innocent citizens, insisting that poor leadership across the continent remains the root cause of many of Africa’s challenges.

According to him, corruption, bad governance and economic hardship created by political leaders have fueled division among Africans, leading citizens to turn against one another instead of demanding accountability from those in power.

Sowore maintained that Tyla should be allowed to perform and conduct her career freely in Nigeria, just as Nigerian entertainers and professionals should enjoy the same freedom across Africa.

“@Tyllaaaaaaa must be allowed to ply her trade freely, just as every African artist, worker and citizen should be able to do across the continent and beyond,” he stated.

He concluded by urging Africans to unite against failed leadership instead of allowing political failures to create hostility between people of different African countries.

“The real problem is not ordinary Africans; it is the failed leadership that has fostered corruption, economic hardship and the conditions for division. Africans deserve better than leaders who create conditions that pit us against one another,” Sowore added.