2face Allowed Politicians to ‘Use’ Him

By Mojisola Delano Last updated Feb 5, 2017

When Nigerian pop star, Innocent Idibia aka 2face, took to Instagram to announce the cancellation of a nationwide protest he was supposed to lead, he was offering us a window into his mind.

He looked misty eyed, his face was gaunt and shorn of colour, his “beard gang” wasn’t dope no more, he had lost a few pounds and he appeared like he needed a hug and massage.

“Dear Nigerians, after due consultations, it has become clear that the One Voice Nigeria Protest scheduled to hold in Lagos and Abuja on Monday the 6th of February is under serious threat of hijack by interests not aligned with our ideals”, 2face announced.

He continued: “The point I’m intent on making is not worth the life of any Nigerian. It is in fact motivated by the need to demand a better deal for the ordinary Nigerian.

“I therefore announce the cancellation of the planned protest.

“We’ll share further information in due course. I appreciate the massive support and I’m convinced our voices have been heard.

“May God bless you all and may God bless Nigeria”, the singer added.

It was 2face’s voice alright, but there were moments in that video when it sounded like certain political powers may have held the African Queen crooner hostage and he was looking to break free.

2face had outlined that his nationwide protest sought for a better deal for Nigerians in the face of galloping inflation and depreciating value of the nation’s currency.

But no sooner had the protest been announced than Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, threw in his support.

As did several politicians and hirelings from the opposition party.

It was the moment the 2face One Voice Protest became 2faced, multi-voiced and multi-interest.

It was the moment the wheels came off the protest. It was the moment the protest derailed.

When Fayose openly declares support for your campaign, it’s always wiser to go home.

Of course, it also didn’t help that 2face had once received car and cash gifts from former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and current minority leader in the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, during his wedding.

When 2face said his well publicized protest is “under serious threat of hijack by interests not aligned with our ideals”, he was referring to the interests of Fayose and the likes who had planned to use the protest to make yet another case against President Muhammadu Buhari–a Commander-In-Chief they openly despise and loathe.

Politicians were just waiting to ride on the coattails of the 2face protest to score political points.

But like the singer noted, this was not a loss for the 2face brand. Far from it.

He has made his point; and through the sheer power that has become the social media, the protest garnered plenty of support.

Here was the pulling power of music and the Nigerian artiste on full display. A singer puts up an Instagram post concerning his planned protest and the mainstream media picks it up and sells it to the people who purchase same hastily on a national scale.

It can only get better from here.

2face shouldn’t despair too much because in the larger scheme of things, he is the winner here.

However, when the dust settles, questions will remain about whether the enormously popular 2face allowed himself to be the willing tool of politicians or whether this campaign was really his from the outset.

Questions will arise concerning whether the motives underpinning this campaign were far from noble. Was 2face acting a script or not?

There are genuine concerns here.

2face will continue to thrill us with his music and will continue to be the face of commercial brands, but on this evidence, his politics sucks.

He should stick with the music.

Written by Jude Egbas