Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, has claimed that the practice of giving alms to street beggars is delaying the revolution he believes could bring about positive change in Nigeria.
Kuti made the statement during an interview with ObjecTV, where he argued that Nigerians’ continued financial support for beggars prevents them from becoming “hungry” enough to demand radical change.
According to the musician, people living in extreme poverty should be among those pushing for a revolution, but the assistance they receive from members of the public helps to ease their hardship.
“The beggars are the ones who are supposed to be angry in order to cause revolution, but since we give them money from time to time, they are not hungry enough to be angry,” he said.
The comment has generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians criticising the argument and stressing that withholding charity from vulnerable people is not a solution to the country’s socio-economic challenges.
Kuti has, over the years, been a vocal advocate for political and social change in Nigeria. He has repeatedly criticised the country’s political leadership, describing the present crop of politicians as corrupt and calling for a revolution.
