Popular Fuji Musicians as Political Marketers in Nigerian Elections

ABSTRACT Renowned musicians in Nigeria have formed part of the struggle against the repressive military junta, injustice, corruption, and the crises of the colonial, military, and civilian regimes. Evidence abounds in the literature and the public domain that the orientation of these musicians made them nationalists, and their music an important medium for socio-political and economic development. However, with the upsurge in celebrity politicians, nowadays many orientations are employed by popular musicians to sell politicians. In Nigeria, where empirical studies and global development statistics show that corruption and bad leadership seriously undermine socio-economic development, the roles of popular musicians as crusaders for good governance are under serious scrutiny. This article examines whether the legacy formerly promoted by renowned musicians is still promoted by popular musicians of this era. Analyses of two songs, composed by two popular Fuji musicians, Abass Akande and Wasiu Ayinde, for Otunba Alao Akala and Senator Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo State respectively, show that instead of serving as watchdogs or social crusaders holding politicians accountable to the electorate, popular musicians praise politicians. This detour in orientation undermines the ideals of renowned musicians of the pre-independence and independence era, with serious implications for the nation’s social and political development.