Afrobeat singer and activist Seun Kuti has lashed out at Nigerians celebrating the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that dying at the age of 82 after a life of injustice is not punishment, nor is it justice.
Buhari, who ruled Nigeria as a military head of state between 1984 and 1985 and returned as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, died in London on Sunday after a prolonged illness.
Reacting via a video posted on his verified Instagram page, Seun Kuti who who is one the sons of Nigeria’s musical icon, Fela Kuti, recounted what his family suffered in the hands Buhari during his military regime.
“Buhari killed my friends, Buhari killed better men than me, men that should still be alive today. He killed my people. He killed the future of many Nigerians.
“That an old man has died in old age after using our blood to secure the financial future of his generations is not justice. Nobody watching this live video can say that their family suffered in the hands of Buhari the way my family did,” he said.
He questioned the logic behind celebrating someone who wasn’t held accountable while alive, saying, “Now, some of you will come online celebrating like his death is a victory for us. Did you charge him in court for his crime? Why do you think an old man dying of old age is justice?”
Highlighting how taxpayer money continued to fund the former president’s lifestyle even till death, Kuti added:
“Over £3,000 was spent every month for his treatment in the UK while Nigerians are dying in public hospitals. You think that’s justice?”
