By Chris Chikelue :
The Labour party Presidential candidate in the forthcoming Presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi has visited legendary Nigerian saxophonist and afrobeat singer, Femi Kuti.
This is coming on the heel of online attacks at Kuti for reproving supporters of Obi and calling them “zombies”.
Charles Oputa popularly known as Charly Boy, was also present during the meeting.
Kuti while speaking said that he never referred to Obi’s supporters as zombies, as against widespread reports on social media.
The five-time Grammy award-nominated instrumentalist explained that his grouse with the supporters of Obi was the name they call themselves, ‘Obidients’.
The Afrobeats legend said his family has gone through a lot in the hands of various Nigerian governments to be ‘obidient’, adding that he has never supported any political party or candidate.
“I have seen insults directed to me and my family as well as the threat that they will burn the Shrine because they feel I said that Peter Obi’s supporters are zombies.
“First let’s be clear; what did I say? I said that I am too angry and sad, and depressed to be Obedient.
“How can anybody come up with that term? How can you be Obedient, how? I don’t see any good reasons.
“We have had the EndSARS killings, my grandmother was killed, my father’s house was burnt, the oppression of my family, and I am supposed to be obedient?
“Do you know the meaning of obedient? It means if they tell you to sit down, you will sit down and when they tell you to stand up you will stand up; It means you are an obedient person. I cannot be such obedient.”
The saxophonist added that he went on to say that Obi himself was friends with Atiku and he went on to be Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate so if he was Atiku’s vice-president while they were pals, If they had won the last election they would have still remained pals and hugging each other now.
“Did I call Peter Obi’s supporters zombies? It means I would have said that all Peter Obi’s supporters are zombies. Did I say that? No,” he added.
Peter Obi, however told Kuti that what The country needed now is issue based campaign which should be devoid of any rancour.
He said that all Nigerians must come together to work for the betterment of the country.
“Nigeria has gone through a lot since obtaining Independence; what we need now is not a fight but a regroup so as to repair the sameges which has been threatening the existence of the country.”
