Nigerian influencer and activist Oruche Ogeamara Precious, popularly known as Mama Pee, has told South African singer Tyla to stay away from Nigeria ahead of her scheduled Lagos concert.
Mama Pee issued the warning following renewed outrage over xenophobic attacks and the reported killing of Nigerians in South Africa.
Tyla is expected to perform in Lagos on December 22 as part of her A*POP World Tour.
However, the announcement has triggered calls from some Nigerians for the concert to be boycotted.
Mama Pee questions Tyla’s silence
Reacting in an Instagram post on Thursday, Mama Pee accused the Grammy-winning singer of remaining silent while Nigerians and other African migrants face violent attacks in South Africa.
She questioned why Tyla should be allowed to enter Nigeria peacefully and earn money from Nigerian fans while victims continue to suffer in her home country.
“So Tyla will come to Nigeria, pass our immigration peacefully, and we will buy tickets to go and see her? As per?” she wrote.
Mama Pee alleged that a young Nigerian man had recently been killed by police in South Africa, while several others had suffered attacks motivated by hatred.
“A young man has just been strangled by the police in her country. Several [have been] killed because of nothing but hate, and she hasn’t said a word,” she said.
She added that Tyla and other South African entertainers should not expect Nigerians to dance at their concerts while Nigerian citizens “bleed and scream in fear” in South Africa.
‘Her silence is loud enough’
Mama Pee insisted that Nigerians were justified in expressing anger over Tyla’s planned performance.
She rejected attempts to separate the singer from the crisis, arguing that Tyla’s silence on the attacks was enough reason to oppose her Lagos concert.
“Fellow Nigerians, our feelings are valid. No gaslighting over here,” she wrote.
“Tyla should stay back in her human-hunting country. Her silence in the face of grave injustice is loud enough.”
Mama Pee also criticised the Nigerian government’s response to the attacks, urging citizens to take action by refusing to support the concert.
“If na only this one we fit do as our government no know themselves, make we do am.
“I stand with Nigerians. Stay back in your country,” she added.
Boycott calls divide Nigerians
The controversy has divided Nigerians on social media.
While some supported calls to boycott the concert, others argued that Tyla should not be held personally responsible for attacks carried out by South African citizens.
Tyla had not publicly responded to Mama Pee’s warning at the time of filing this report.
