Femi Kuti warns APC against use of Fela’s songs for campaign

Afrobeat singer Femi Kuti has warned the All Progressive Congress (APC) against unauthorised use of music icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s songs for its campaign.

In a statement shared by the 60-year-old on behalf of Fela’s management on Monday, the Estate of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti called out APC for using the singer’s song ‘Eko Ile’ for its political campaign.

The statement pointed out that the late music legend remains apolitical, adding that the use of his music for political purposes will not be tolerated.

The statement read: “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 (APC) 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.”

Femi also wrote on Twitter saying, “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 May last year, Femi tackled the party for using an inscription of his father on its campaign shirts.