Nigerian singer and instrumentalist, Seun Kuti, has revealed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was his political mentor while growing up.
The son late afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti said he learnt many of the ideas he understands today from men like the former Governor of Lagos state.
Seun made the disclosure during a recent interview with popular journalist, Chude Jideonwo about his relationship with the president.
The singer said he was inspired by Tinubu as a leading member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought for Nigeria’s democracy after the military annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
According to Seun Kuti, he has a does not have a political relationship with President Tinubu whom he described as an “uncle”, but they have been very close for years.
He said; “My relationship with President Tinubu on a personal level is very robust. I grew up knowing him as an uncle. He was a very good friend of uncle Beko [Kuti]. He was a political mentor to me growing up as a child.
“Many of the ideas that I understand today, it was these men that taught me as a child growing up. Knowing them fighting for democracy in this country with NADECO, even when he [Tinubu] went on exile… Wale Soyinka, uncle Beko, Asiwaju, these were the men who fought for our democracy.
“During Tinubu’s first term as Governor of Lagos State, I performed at all his rallies. I’ve always been close to him personally. But I don’t have any political relationship with him. And even at that, I don’t think it’s anybody’s business. I’ve not been to his house in years except when I need to see him for national issues.
“So, these things that people say are just to tarnish your image. They make it seem like everybody must be paid for what they’re saying. No, no, no. What’s the truth is the truth. And I say it regardless of fear or favour of anybody.”