M.I ABAGA EXPLAINS WHY CELEBRITIES SOMETIMES STAY SILENT ON POLITICAL CRITICISM
ENTERTAINMENT - Posted on: 18th Aug. 2025 at 1:47PM
Nigerian rapper MI Abaga has offered insight into why some celebrities choose not to publicly criticise politicians, even when public sentiment is overwhelmingly negative.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Outside The Box podcast, the hip-hop star explained that personal relationships often shape such decisions. According to him, having a friend in politics can create a moral dilemma for celebrities, making them hesitant to add their voices to the criticism.
“Most artists have a friend that’s in politics,” Abaga said. “Because you have a closer understanding of an issue and you’re also seeing that person receive insults, you may avoid adding your voice—not because you don’t think the critique is valid, but because of the personal connection.”
Sharing a personal experience, Abaga recalled a late-night meeting with the governor of Jos, during which they discussed the development of the creative industry until 2:30 a.m. He explained that such encounters influence how he views political figures.
“So if something comes up where he’s getting a lot of pushback, I may refrain from speaking,” the rapper noted. “Not because the criticism isn’t necessary, but because I want to acknowledge the person I met that night—the governor who stayed up late to talk about supporting the creative industry. Sometimes, leaders need a few people who still see the good in them.”
Abaga concluded that this human side of relationships often complicates how celebrities engage in political discourse, making silence less about avoidance and more about balancing personal experiences with public opinion.
Nigerian rapper MI Abaga has offered insight into why some celebrities choose not to publicly criticise politicians, even when public sentiment is overwhelmingly negative.Speaking on a recent episode of the Outside The Box podcast, the hip-hop star explained that personal relationships often shape such decisions. According to him, having a friend in politics can create a moral dilemma for celebrities, making them hesitant to add their voices to the criticism.
“Most artists have a friend that’s in politics,” Abaga said. “Because you have a closer understanding of an issue and you’re also seeing that person receive insults, you may avoid adding your voice—not because you don’t think the critique is valid, but because of the personal connection.”
Sharing a personal experience, Abaga recalled a late-night meeting with the governor of Jos, during which they discussed the development of the creative industry until 2:30 a.m. He explained that such encounters influence how he views political figures.
“So if something comes up where he’s getting a lot of pushback, I may refrain from speaking,” the rapper noted. “Not because the criticism isn’t necessary, but because I want to acknowledge the person I met that night—the governor who stayed up late to talk about supporting the creative industry. Sometimes, leaders need a few people who still see the good in them.”
Abaga concluded that this human side of relationships often complicates how celebrities engage in political discourse, making silence less about avoidance and more about balancing personal experiences with public opinion.
Posted by: Emdee David
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