K1 De Ultimate: between loyalty And The Truth

By Dayo Badmus,

Saying things are bad in Nigeria is like stating the obvious. However, when the truth is coming from an insider, it gets more validation. The whole world knows nothing seems to be working in Nigeria.

The confusing fact about the ugly situation is many refused to talk about it. This is why anytime, anybody comes out in public glare to lament on the situation, hope come the way of the common people.

Apart from public analysts who have made it point of duty to continuously call government attention to the rusty state of the nation, musicians have also on several occasions hit hard on any government of the day calling them to their responsibilities.

Late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Pop star, Idris AbdulKareem takes the lead when it comes to the most vocal, talking about using the power of the microphone to call on government to do the right things.

Fela’s ‘Suffering And smiling’ was a monster hit in the 80s. Late Barrister’s ‘Precaution’ album in 1995 was entirely dedicated to the then military government. In 2001, Pop star, Idris Abdulkareem dropped ‘Nigeria JagaJaga’, a single that got the attention of the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Aside these three, another Fuji artiste, Wasiu Ayinde has always been very vocal talking to the government of the day.

The later would be remembered for lambasting former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the later part of his 8years tenure.

K1, as the famous musician is better known, earlier called for support when Obasanjo became President in 1999 against the wish of the Southwest people who wanted a none-military person in Olu Falae.

K1, in his year 2000 album, sang, ‘E fun Baba laye, ki Baba o sanjo’ (give Baba a chance to perform).

However, about ten years ago, since K1 diversified his trade into politics, he had since gone down on talking about how well politicians perform. Instead, opting for partisan politics.

This made some of his fans to back out of his fanbase. K1 De Ultimate band became a notable perfomer at virtually all APC campaign grounds in the southwest.

The Ogun state born musician became a card carrying member of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress, APC.

However, his silence was recently broken by possibly conscience. In a viral video currently trending on social media, K1, in his usually melodious solo performance was heard lamenting the state of the nation and calling on public officials to do the needful.

To clear arguments that may arise after the video, K1 declared that, his reason for venturing into politics is for himself to be relevant. He categorically called out Works, Power and Housing Minister, Babatunde Fashola on the state of roads in the southwest.

He narrated how he spent four hours from Ikeja GRA in Lagos to Mowe Ibafo without getting to Sagamu.

In another instance, he narrated spending 8hours from Lagos to Osun state. He repeatedly called the minister’s attention to the bad state of roads.

According to him, silence of the Yorubas does not mean things are fine or they are cowards. He said the Yorubas are just thinking about God. They are God-fearing people and if forced to take action, the implication he said may not be good for Nigeria.

K1 said the situation in the west is the reason why many now talks about Yoruba Nation, saying Nigeria continuously cheat Yoruba people and rubbing it on their face.

This latest outburst coming from K1 has been seen in some circles as a case of dropping loyalty for patriotism.

K1 has benefited so much from APC government both from state to Federal level. It is left to be seen what becomes of his membership and status in the party after this video which obviously disparaged the ruling party.

K1 may be ignorant of the fact that, in politics, party loyalty is 100percent. His action may be viewed as anti-party.