Nigerian Afrobeat singer and social critic Seun Anikulapo Kuti has blasted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigeria’s political elite, saying they have blocked political progress in the country and turned governance into a cult-like system.

Kuti made the comments during an Instagram Live session, which surfaced on Wednesday.

The singer expressed anger over the lack of opportunities for young people to participate in politics.

According to him, INEC has deliberately refused to reopen its voter registration portal since 2019, a move he described as political suppression aimed at killing youth participation and maintaining a one-sided system.

He said, “Brothers and sisters, since 2019, INEC has not opened any registration portal. Instead, they register people up and down. INEC has refused to open the portal. They don’t want Nigerians to grow politically.”

The 41-year-old father didn’t hold back as he accused the electoral body of helping politicians turn Nigeria into a one-way traffic of power, with only right-wing, ultra-conservative candidates in charge.

Kuti, the youngest son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, also described Nigeria’s political scene as dangerously one-sided, warning that there’s no room left for Pan-Africanist or progressive voices to thrive.

“With the three political systems that are there, INEC cannot change anything. We need more political voices. Nigeria has no left. Nigeria is full of conservative right-wing politicians. We have right-wing fascist politicians only,” he said.

Kuti went further to condemn the growing influence of religion in Nigerian politics, calling many of the current leaders “religious nutjobs” who have used faith to destroy the country’s development.

“All our politicians are religious nutjobs. All of them, religion don scatter their brains,” he said.

Using Rivers State as a case study, Kuti pointed fingers at the region’s political climate, describing it as an example of fascist governance that forces its will on people through violence and intimidation.

In his words, “Mad people that would kill people! I mean, look at Rivers State. That’s a fascist way of governance.

That is a right-wing government style. ‘My way on the highway’ – they start killing people, shooting certain states, and bringing military administration.”