Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has found himself at the centre of a heated online debate after urging citizens to stop turning politics into personal warfare. The “Iyawo Mi” crooner first sparked reactions on October 15 with a simple but pointed message on X that quickly racked up millions of views and thousands of replies.
“Stop making enemies because of politics,” Dakolo wrote.
The post immediately divided users. Some praised the call for restraint while others accused him of hypocrisy, pointing to his past performances at political events and questioning why anyone should remain friendly with supporters of parties they believe have failed the country.
Two days later the singer returned with a longer video clarification titled “Dear Nigerians, I am not your Enemy.” In the nearly two-minute clip he explained the thinking behind his original post. Dakolo said he has sat in rooms with politicians from different parties when the cameras were switched off and was shocked by what he saw.
“I’ve been in rooms with these men in politics when the cameras are off, and they are not fighting. The first time I witnessed it, I was shocked. I saw them hugging each other and asking about each other’s families, projects and businesses,” he stated.
He argued that ordinary Nigerians fight and divide themselves over the same people who maintain cordial relationships behind closed doors.
“These are the people we fight each other over and divide ourselves because of, and that’s how they win. They divide us, and we fight among ourselves. I’m not affiliated with any political party, but I’m just telling you the truth,” Dakolo continued.
He added that supporters sometimes lose their lives in political clashes only for the politicians themselves to later switch parties and become allies again.
“They don’t fight each other when the cameras are off. So, I’m telling you not to make unnecessary enemies because of politics. People die over political fights, and later, these politicians change parties.”
The singer, who rose to fame as the winner of the first season of Idols West Africa and is known for songs promoting national unity, insisted he can never take the side of oppressors. His comments arrive amid ongoing political tensions ahead of future elections, where online and offline clashes between party supporters remain common.
This is not the first time Dakolo has drawn criticism over politics. In 2022 he faced backlash for performing at the presidential declaration of then-PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar. The latest episode has once again placed the singer in the middle of Nigeria’s polarised political conversation, with some users defending his call for restraint and others insisting that political differences reflect deeper battles over governance and survival.