Fela’s family kicks against use of song in APC presidential campaign

• Nigerians are saying Fela’s family has endorsed APC presidential candidates with the use of Fela’s song
• The misic legend’s family denied and kicked against use of song in APC presidential campaign

The family of late Nigerian music legend and multi-instrumentalist and Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti has issued a statement kicking against the use of the Afrobeats crooner’s song in any political campaign.

His iconic song “Eko Ile” was used by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of a 2023 presidential campaign activity. Many Nigerians who had hypothesized that the Kuti family was endorsing the APC party were very divided by the gesture.

Femi Kuti responded via his verified social media profiles, saying that the Kuti family had never approved of the APC’s action and that they have always been politically apolitical.

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His post reads; “Disclaimer and notice of use without consent. We the administrators of the estate of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti issue this disclaimer. We wish to state here for clarity, that the permission of the estate was not sought for the use of Fela’s music, Eko Ile, in the All Progressives Congress social media campaign currently making the rounds.

“We do not involve Fela’s music in any political campaign at home or abroad and choose to remain neutral. While we wish all candidates the best, we demand that the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are abided by and intellectual property rights are duly respected. Signed the estate of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.”

DISCLAIMER AND NOTICE OF USE WITHOUT CONSENT
We the Administrators of The ESTATE OF Fela Anikulapo-Kuti ISSUE THIS DISCLAIMER. WE wish to state here for clarity, that the permission of the Estate was not sought for the use of Fela’s music ‘Eko ile’. pic.twitter.com/aUjSDtN7kx

— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) November 28, 2022