Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti has stirred controversy with his views on street begging and the prospects of a revolution in Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with ObjecTV, Kuti argued that financial assistance from members of the public could be easing the hardship faced by beggars and, in his view, reducing the frustration that might otherwise drive them to demand broader social change.
He said people struggling with basic needs would ordinarily have stronger reasons to challenge the system, but occasional support from Nigerians may lessen the pressure to act.
“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 remark has attracted mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning whether withholding support from beggars could realistically trigger a revolution.
Kuti has consistently advocated major political and social reforms in Nigeria and has criticised political leaders over issues including corruption and governance.
