Singer Brymo Bows To Pressure, Tenders Apology Over Incensing Tribal Comment

By Tosin Deba

Popular Nigerian Singer, Olawale Ashimi, a.k.a Brymo has shared his own side of the story after becoming a topic of discussion over his political stance and comments against Igbos on the social media.

The music star, who has been widely celebrated for his indigenous style of music, surprised many when he shared controversial comments about Igbos.

In a series of posts, the music star made it clear that the Igbos are not ready for the Presidency of the country and went ahead to support APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Not stopping there, Brymo was credited for saying Igbos are useless people among other tribalist comments and refusing to back down when he was called out for it

A number of people reacted to the singer’s tribal comments in different ways and some of them decided to go for his music career by raising a petition on Change.org for his nomination at the All Africa Music Award (AFRIMA) for Songwriter of the Year to be withdrawn with immediate effect.

In a twist, however, after feeling the heat and backlash from Nigerians, the singer finally bowed to pressure and tendered an apology during an IG live session in an attempt to give a clearer explanation of what he meant with his inflammatory post.

According to Brymo, the entire back and forth started after he shared his two cents about author Chimamanda Adichie’s refusal of a National Honors Award while accepting a local chieftaincy title in her community, suggesting that it shouldn’t have been the case considering how the region is clamouring for the Presidency of Nigeria.

The singer restated his position about how Chimamanda’s action as a prominent Igbo sent the wrong message about an Igbo presidency.

Brymo, after the petition was raised, said that an individual approached him to tender an apology and this was what resulted in his controversial Twitter post.

The singer emphasized that his words were never directed at the Igbo people but a movement.

Brymo said his statement was taken “out of context” because he only used it to refer to those who were championing the movement for his downfall and not the entire Igbo tribe itself.

The musician said: “I didn’t insult the tribe (Igbos), I will not do that. I apologize to any one who is saddened by such tweet. I was trying to weigh in on very important matters.”