Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla has dropped Lagos from the schedule of her APOP World Tour, following growing backlash from some Nigerians who demanded a boycott of the planned concert over recurring xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa, according to Daily Post.
The revised tour itinerary, released on Friday, no longer includes the Lagos performance that had been slated for December 22. While shows across Europe, North America and South Africa remain on the schedule, Nigeria has been removed from the list.
The decision follows heated reactions after Tyla announced Lagos as the only Nigerian stop on the tour. Many Nigerians argued that South African entertainers should not perform in the country while reports of attacks on Nigerians in South Africa continue. Others maintained that artists should not be blamed for political tensions or the actions of violent individuals.
African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore opposed the calls for a boycott, urging Nigerians to focus their anger on those responsible for xenophobic violence rather than the singer. He argued that Tyla should not be held accountable for crimes committed by others.
The controversy intensified after social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, vowed to mobilise members of his Ratel Movement to prevent the concert from taking place. He said the move was intended to show solidarity with Africans affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa and to pressure South African celebrities to publicly condemn the violence.
Tyla’s decision to remove Lagos from the tour comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, following fresh reports of xenophobic attacks and the deaths of Nigerian nationals, including Chika Ibe in Cape Town.
Source: Daily Post
