Popular Nigerian musician and the youngest son of the Afrobeats pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti has recently slammed veteran comedian and actor Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, over his reasons for choosing to accept the national honour conferred on him by former president Muhammadu Buhari.
It was reported that the former president of the Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, through the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs on Sunday, listed comedian AY, singer Davido, actor Kunle Afolayan, Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and other celebrities among 337 Nigerians to be conferred with certain national honours on June 1st 2023.
The 51 year old entertainer soon came under ‘fire’ from Nigerians on social media who critiqued him for not rejecting the appointment. Reacting to the announcement on Monday, AY in a tweet, addressed said critics who queried him for not rejecting the honorary award by the Federal Government, stating that a national honour is the highest recognition anyone could get.
Explaining why he will not reject the award, he said:
“Those of you shaming or asking me to reject ‘A National Honour’ are clearly missing a vital point. Our country is bigger and more important than any president or political party awarding it. National honour is the highest recognition anyone can get for his or her contributions to nation-building.
So my allegiance is to a country where I have contributed my own quota, and I am more than happy to be rewarded by the same nation.â€
An infuriated Seun responding to AY took to his Instagrampage and story, to describe the comedian’s explanation as unnecessary. He referred to AY as a hypocrite and further taunted the comedian to receive his ‘Buhari’ award and stop explaining.
“Let me reiterate. No be public opinion poll them take dey choose national award na by presidential committee then the president will accept the nomination of certain people. In as much as it’s a national honour, it’s a presidential appointment. Biko, receive your BUHARI award and stop to dey Shalaye.
“This is what I hate about sellouts. Is it that you don’t have a chest, or you can’t do anything with the chest? Resist the URGE to SHALAYE (explain), Don’t try and dress HYPOCRISY as NATIONAL LOYALTY OR PATRIOTISM. With una 2 Homes and 2 Passports,†Seun Kuti said