Afrobeat star, Femi Kuti has pointed out that his own ethnic group, the Yoruba, has been the biggest adversary to his family.
Speaking at the 2024 Felaberation Festival in Lagos, Femi specifically mentioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late businessman MKO Abiola as significant enemies of the Kuti family.
He acknowledged his father and grandmother as prominent Pan-Africanists, further emphasizing that his family was raised without tribalistic tendencies, drawing inspiration from Pan-Africanism.
Addressing the crowd, Femi stated, “Brothers and sisters, something very important is going on in our lives; ethnic problems. You call it tribalism. Please, do not bring the Anikulapos in your stupidity.”
He continued by saying, “We grew up with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Patrice Lumumba, Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
“Pan-Africanism was the order of the day. So, I didn’t grow up being sentimental. I saw good people, bad people. I’ve got great European friends, I’ve got terrible European friends. I’ve got great African friends, I’ve got terrible African friends.
“One of our [the Kuti family’s] greatest enemies as you know are Yoruba people; Obasanjo or Abiola. We are not tribalistic in our family.”
