Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti criticises INEC for not reopening voter registration since 2019, alleging political suppression and lambasting Nigeria’s right-wing political landscape

Afrobeat musician and activist Seun Kuti has once again stirred controversy with his sharp criticism of Nigeria’s political system and electoral body.

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In a recent Instagram Live session, Seun Kuti condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly not reopening its voter registration portal since 2019.

He accused the commission of deliberately suppressing young Nigerians’ political participation by blocking access to registration. “Brothers and sisters, since 2019, INEC has not opened any registration portal.

Instead, they register people up and down. INEC has refused to open the portal. They don’t want Nigerians to grow politically,” Kuti asserted, expressing strong frustration with the electoral process.

Seun Kuti went on to lambast Nigeria’s political landscape for being dominated exclusively by right-wing conservative forces, leaving no room for leftist or progressive voices.

“With the three political systems that are there, INEC cannot change anything. We need more political voices. Nigeria has no left. Nigeria is full of conservative right-wing politicians. We have right-wing fascist politicians only,” he added, advocating for greater ideological diversity.

Seun Kuti’s critique didn’t stop at INEC. He fiercely criticised Nigerian politicians in general, describing them as “mad” and overly religious “nutjobs” whose faith, he argued, has clouded their judgment and governance.

“Mad people that would kill people! I mean, look at Rivers State. That’s a fascist way of governance. That is a right-wing government style.

‘My way or the highway’ they start killing people, shooting in certain states, and bringing military administration,” Kuti exclaimed, pointing to specific regional political dynamics.

“All our politicians are religious nutjobs. All of them, religion don scatter their brains. Rivers State is the symbol of right-wing fascism in Africa. INEC has brought us into right-wing fascist politics.

They are all right-wing. Right, totally right-wing. None of them are Pan-Africanists.”