Some discontented youths recently engaged in an act of protest by setting fire to a banner of Nigerian artiste, Davido.
The incident stemmed from the artist’s failure to issue an apology for a controversial video he had shared on Twitter.
In the video circulated on Tuesday, the agitated group was seen igniting Davido’s banner while a commentator vehemently cursed the singer for allegedly ridiculing Islam.
The individual expressed their strong disapproval by saying in Hausa, “Davido, may God curse your blessings. Davido, we hold prayer in the highest regard. The way you mocked prayer, may Allah also mock you.”
In response to the growing uproar, $ULTAN (@Sarki_sultan) posted on Tuesday, suggesting that an apology from Davido would be a significant step in resolving the current situation. “Davido should apologize [let’s] end this. It takes nothing to say ‘I am sorry,’” the tweet read.
Davido’s tweet triggered widespread reactions online. Prominent figures who criticised the Afrobeats singer included former media aide to Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, and Kannywood actor, Ali Nuhu.Bashir Ahmad reproached Davido for treating Islam with disrespect, stating,
“I assume you all know that we Muslims don’t mix our religion with jokes in any way, especially Salah (prayer), which is sacred and one of the five pillars of Islam. In Salah, Muslims remember our Lord, Allah, express our love and respect for Him, and invoke and strive to express our gratitude towards Him.”
After facing pressure, Davido eventually deleted the video titled “Jaye Lo” by his signee, Logos Olori, and received praise from Bashir Ahmad, Ali Nuhu, and others.
Despite the deletion of the video, angry Muslim faithful have called for a complete ban on Davido’s music in all 19 northern states of the country.
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) also weighed in, urging the State Security Service (SSS) to invite the singer for questioning regarding the video, which they described as “capable of igniting anarchy in Nigeria.”
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Ishaq Akintola, the spokesperson for MURIC, emphasised the seriousness of the matter and the need for accountability.
