Celebs divided over support for hunger protest

By Faith Ajayi

As the nationwide hunger protest enters its third day, different entertainers have taken positions either supporting or criticising the demonstrations.

Disc jockey and singer, Florence Otedola, aka DJ Cuppy, prayed for the country and its leaders. She wrote on social media, “Dear Lord, please bless Nigeria with peace, unity, and prosperity. Guide our leaders and protect our people. Let your love and grace fill our nation. Amen.”

On her part, singer, Tems, who was supposed to release a music video on Thursday, August 1, 2024, the day the protest began, postponed its release in solidarity with the movement. She wrote on social media, “Out of respect for the ongoing protest at home (Nigeria), I have decided to postpone the release of the ‘Burning’ music video. (I am) praying for the safety of those outside at this time. May the voices of the people be heard.”

Actress, Iyabo Ojo, encouraged peaceful protests, urging people to avoid restricted areas. She wrote, “My dear brothers and sisters, please, if you must protest, be aware of and avoid areas restricted by the government. For your safety and to avoid any potential conflicts, kindly stay away from zones where the government has prohibited gatherings or demonstrations. This is the situation we’ve found ourselves in. Let us comply, please; your health and life matter.”

Actress, Regina Daniels, who is one of the wives of Senator Ned Nwoko, called for peace during the protests. She said, “Today is August 1, the first day of the national protests in Nigeria. We all know that the masses are suffering and want a better way of living, hence the protest. There is nothing wrong with protesting, but there is everything wrong with violence.

“Once violence gets involved, it defeats the whole purpose of the protests. I urge everyone to try and make this protest as peaceful as possible.”

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Singer, Omah Lay, also stood in support of the protest, posting on X, “End bad governance in Nigeria.”

On his part, controversial actor and politician, Yul Edochie, was of the view that the protest was not the right move. In a post on Instagram on July 19, 2024, he wrote, “I acknowledge the hardship in the country, the situation of things. It is affecting everyone. I believe all will be well. Protest is not the answer. People take advantage of protests to break into other people’s shops, steal and destroy properties, hurt and kill innocent Nigerians, who are already going through a lot. In the end, the aim of the protest will be defeated. Remember what happened during End SARS.”

Actress, Tonto Dikeh, also stated that rather than embarking on a protest, there should be a dialogue between the government and its people. She wrote, “I hereby call for peaceful coexistence, peaceful protest, and dialogue. I also charge the federal and state governments to attend to the plights of Nigerians, especially the youth. Nigeria belongs to all of us; there is no other Nigeria, and we must work collectively to make it a better place. God bless you all.”

Grammy Award-winning singer, Burna Boy, stated that he lost the zeal to protest in Nigeria in 2020 when some people refused to have his song played during the #EndSARS protests that rocked the country in October 2020. Referencing a post made in 2020, he wrote on his X page, “The fight in me died on this day. Ogun go doggy anybody who call my name this time around.”

After getting backlash from some of his followers, he maintained that he had never collected money from any politician. He wrote, “No politician has ever given anything. Go and ask Wike about the land he gave me, or which money he gave me.”

The former Governor or Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, had hosted the singer after he won a Grammy Award in 2021, and had promised him a landed property in a choice area of the state.