Celeb law court | 20 February 2012 09:15 CET

D'BANJ TALKS TOUGH ON FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL PROTEST-- I DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING THAT WAS HAPPENING IN NIGERIA

Source: AKINNAGBE AKINTOMIDE/NIGERIAFILMS.COM

Following the pronouncement on 2nd January,2012 by President Goodluck Jonathan on oil subsidy removal,the President and his close aides have been highly criticized by Nigerians.This led to massive protests all over the country following the nationwide strike implemented by Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC).

Showbiz stars like Sammie Okposo,Stephanie Okereke,Onyeka Onwenu,Genevieve Nnaji, and others who were part of his campaign in 2011 were not spared as many social network activists attacked them on social network sites like Twitter and Facebook,challenging them to withdraw their support for the President.

Besides the aforementioned, one entertainer who seems to have been attacked more is hip hop star,D'Banj(Dapo Oyebanjo) based on the song he recorded for Mr. President and talk show,where he hosted the president on a popular TV Programme.

Though many of the artistes that supported Jonathan made a statement on Twitter to have regretted supporting him but the fact that they didn't show up at the Pro-Subsidy rally held at Gani Fawehinmi Square,Ojota,Lagos makes people wonder if their statements on Twitter are sincere.

The peaceful rally witnessed over 100 showbiz stars coming out to protest and added fun to the rally by Entertaining thousands of people that were present.

On a daily basis different artistes were invited to make statements and none of them spared the President as they disapproved of his decision,but that wasn't the case for rap star,Eedris Abdulkareem.

On the 2nd day of the rally,January 10th,2012.Eedris stepped on stage and abused Ex-President Obasanjo and Jonathan making reference to his song Nigeria Jagajaga which he released in 2002.

He later caught everyone off-guard when he attacked D'Banj as one of the offenders of Fuel Subsidy.He openly abused D'Banj for doing a song for Jonathan and also asked the masses to ask him why he has refused to come out after collecting money from the President.

In fact he used F word on him and challenged his loyalty to the President.

After much pressure on D'Banj by his fans to speak about the oil subsidy saga,he took to Twitter and tweeted;Ok so I haven't said anything about the Subsidy cos just like every Nigerian Citizen I am surprised as we all are and yes I supported Jonathan openly and fully but I haven't been made the Special Adviser to the President on Youths.All I can say about the subsidy is the obvious truth that my fans,friends,family and we the masses are the one feeling the pain now.

In a recent interview Sahara reporters had with Dbanj,he finally opens up on his non participation in occupy Nigeria.

Excerpts from the interview;

Ok, now on your interview with the President of Nigeria, there are talks that you collected money from him to sing and interview him.

I didn't collect money from the President. It wasn't an interview it was a request, watch the interview I asked the President and I can remember the statements “What are your plans for the Nigerian youth?” because I dedicated a track to him so I wanted the people to know why I said I was going to vote for him, I wanted them to know his plans.

What was your take on the Occupy Nigeria and the fuel subsidy removal?

1st of all, lets take a minute silence for those who lost their lives during this period

Ok D'banj we really appreciate that, so carry on.

I did not know anything that was happening [in Nigeria during protests] because I was working on my album in the UK.

But there was a protest in London why didn't you participate?

I didn't know anything that was happening in London about the fuel protest because I was working… I am not a politician! And everyone that knows me well knows I don't like cold, so I couldn't go outside.

So what do you have to say?

I don't have anything to say, I wasn't in the country when it was happening.

But I wasn't in the country also.

I've told you I don't want to say anything about that topic, I don't say what I don't know anything about, If you know me very well I speak about what I know. I will not speak on something that I don't know about. You will not get me to speak about what I don't know. I wish my publicist told me that this was a political interview…

So who operates your twitter handle?

I operate it but I'm not always online, I'm on twitter when I want to pass an information not when you want me to.

There has been increase in poverty in Nigeria what do you have to say about this?

Yes I know, but poverty has always been in Nigeria. Let us focus on what we have, why are you hammering on negativity? I'll speak from the angle that I know well which is the entertainment, that is what I know we can export, we should invest our talents to escape from poverty. I've a concert tomorrow, I need to practice and prepare well so I can represent Africa well.

Click the link below to go to...

Fans Attack D'Banj For Shooting 'Oliver Twist' Video While Not Joining Nigerians In Protest

D'Banj Finally Opens Up On Attack By Fans, Says I Feel Pains Of The Masses

D'Banj Under Attack Again Over Alleged 'Insensitive' Comments

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