South African music sensation Tyla has once again found herself at the center of controversy ahead of her scheduled performance in Nigeria this December.
This time, Nigerian author and public commentator Solomon Buchi has openly called for the concert to be cancelled, citing the singer’s silence during past xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa.
In a statement shared on social media, Buchi argued that Tyla failed to speak up when Nigerians were allegedly subjected to violence and discrimination during periods of xenophobic unrest. According to him, remaining silent during such incidents makes it difficult for many Nigerians to welcome the Grammy-winning artist with open arms.
“Tyla is scheduled to perform in Nigeria this December, and that show must not take place. She didn’t say a word during the xenophobic att@cks we witnessed in South Africa and how Nigerians were treated.”
His remarks have sparked mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians agreeing that public figures should speak out against injustice regardless of nationality. Others, however, believe it is unfair to hold Tyla personally responsible for the actions of individuals or the South African government, insisting that entertainers should not always be expected to comment on political or social crises.