The family of Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti has warned political parties to desist from using the songs of the late music star.
The family issued a statement opposing the use of Fela’s song in any political campaign.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) used Fela’s popular song “Eko Ile” during one of its campaign activities for their 2023 presidential campaign.
This had led to insinuations that the Kuti family might be supporting the ruling party.
Reacting to the insinuations, Femi Kuti took to his Instagram page to state that the APC’s move was not sanctioned by the Kuti family and that they have always been politically neutral.
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.”