Why Some Celebrities Stay Silent On Political Criticism
M.I Abaga, the veteran Nigerian rapper, has talked about why many celebrities choose not to openly criticise politicians, despite public pressure to do so.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Outside The Box podcast, Abaga said personal relationships often influence such decisions.
According to him, having friends in politics can create a moral dilemma where criticism may feel justified but is withheld to preserve personal ties.
Sharing his own experience, the rapper recalled a meeting with the governor of Jos that lasted until 2:30 a.m., where they discussed plans for the creative industry.
He noted that such personal interactions could make him reluctant to speak against the governor, not because criticism isn’t valid, but because he wants to acknowledge the positive side of the relationship.
He said: “Most artists have a friend that’s entered into politics, you know, and because you have a friend that’s entered into politics, you might have a closer understanding of an issue, you know, and you are also seeing that person receiving the insults and you don’t just want your voice to be part of the insult. It’s not like you don’t think the person, you just don’t want your own voice. Like, you can, like, let me use an example, like, the governor of Jos, I have my perspective of meeting with him at those two thirties.
“I’ve seen it. I’ve sat with him and he’s tired. This, do you understand, he’s the governor of a state and he’s staying up to two thirty to talk to me about my plan for the creative industry.
“So if something comes up where he’s getting a lot of pushback, I may refrain from speaking not because I don’t think that the critique is necessary for him but because I don’t, I want to speak to the person I met at two thirty. You know what I mean? He may need some, he may need a few people that are going to be like, but I see what you did at two thirty. Yeah, you are getting a lot of kickback but I still see the good in you.
“You know, this is part of being a human being”.
VIDEO: Why some celebrities stay silent on political criticism – M.I Abaga
Nigerian rapper M.I Abaga has explained why many celebrities choose not to openly criticise politicians, despite public pressure to do so.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Outside The Box podcast,… pic.twitter.com/RrTYkYWl4Q
— The Nation Nigeria (@TheNationNews) August 17, 2025