Timi Dakolo: "Let People Do Their Job" - Lawyer

Timi Dakolo

An Abuja based human rights lawyer and Managing Partner at Law Corridor, Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq. has reacted to the series of online comments that have trailed the performance of the singer, Timi Dakolo at an event hosted by the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to officially declare his 2023 presidential ambition.

Dakolo has been widely accused by internet users of supporting the candidacy of Atiku through his feature in the event, held at the Abuja International Conference Centre on Wednesday March 23rd, 2022.

In a write-up on Friday titled, "OPINION ON TIMI DAKOLO'S PERFORMANCE AT ATIKU'S PRESIDENTIAL DECLARATION", Olajengbesi submitted that the artist's performance was a pure exercise of his craft and business fulfilment, adding that it is empty and uncalled for to sum up such activity for an expression of political support in any kind.

He decried the increasing 'cancel culture' meted against creative performers in recent times such that they are endlessly ridiculed each time they feature in political outings

He further maintained that such "performative outrage" is nothing but a mere attack at people in the course of doing their legitimate job which earns them a living.

He Wrote, "The Nigerian ecosystem thrives on hypocrisy and the setting up of standards that have no bearing on group or individual realities. This is why the ‘cancel culture’ has an appeal in a society where the illusion of morality and virtue signalling trumps common-sense. The form and character of this hypocrisy is seen in recent times more commonly in the music or creative industry where musicians or performers are hated-on, ‘cancelled’, called out and verbally assaulted for carrying out their jobs in political events. 

"Mind you, this performative outrage pays no bills. It is done for the sake of it; an empty, hollow ritual that seeks to bring down honest people in the performance of a service that is their job and a source of income. Take for instance, Timi Dakolo's performance at Atiku Abubakar's Presidential Declaration event. It was, on the face and substance of it, a job where he got the roles to perform his songs to the pleasure of all in attendance while perhaps earning for himself, family and workers (props, back-up singers and other coterie of a singer’s craft) much need sustenance. It was a job! And one not unlike that done by the Master of Events, stage technicians, event planner and caterer in the whole program.

"An artist's performance in such affairs is a multiple stream of income for a variety of workers that do not receive mention in the hate-filled sprouts of online morality policemen. Lightening and Sound Engineers, Back Up Singers, Disc Jockeys and the likes. It is a business with no bearing on the nature of the event itself and any attempt to sum up the performance of one's duty as a form of support for the candidacy of a political actor must be backed up with irrefutable facts.

"In Timi Dakolo's case, for example, how does a song about love and women resound with political rhetoric in support of Atiku? How does he suffer criticism for doing the simple job of performing his song while giving even more visibility to his brand while the event planners, caterers and ushers do not, in full or half measure, endure equal suspicion of working to advance a political candidacy? Such querulous barbs and attacks do not serve the purpose of constructive criticism. It is regrettable, senseless and indefensible. We can not have a fair society with such crude orientation. Let people do their job!

"It is an entirely different affair if such a musician or event planner is at the event announcing their support for the candidacy of a political actor and using their craft to clearly advance same through jingles or choruses. This is clearly distinguishable from an artist paid to entertain the guests of a political actor. If our worries were truly sincere and our ways straight, such a distinction won't be hard to see. In fact, if we are going to ask artists to stop entertaining the guests of politicians or political actors then we must also lead a campaign banning said politicians from even listening to or enjoying the songs of those artists. Let nonsense cancel nonsense. 

"I am myself a legal practitioner by profession and yet inclined towards the PDP politically. I work in a firm where we do lots of briefs that are APC inclined because my political inclination is not my job but the legal practice is. My profession and my political leanings are two parallels that never meet. I argue and defend briefs as a practitioner with a love for the law and due process, unperturbed by anything else. We must let people do their jobs without interpreting it through political prisms especially where absolutely unnecessary. 

"It is not a bad thing to be loved for one's craft and be patronised accordingly without the hues and labours of political adoption. In much the same way a TV or Radio station will conveniently air sponsored ads, events and programs by the PDP, APC or any other political parties because it is their business, musicians must be allowed to run their businesses as deemed fit. Thus, the earlier we wean ourselves of wilful hatred and hypocrisy, the better for our society."