Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has addressed backlash over resurfaced tweets from 2012, insisting that her past posts are being misinterpreted and do not reflect any form of wrongdoing.

The reaction follows criticism she received after speaking out about sexual assault. In an earlier post, the singer stated that almost every woman she knows has experienced sexual assault at some point in their lives.

The comment sparked intense debate on social media, with some users supporting her stance while others challenged it.

As the conversation grew, some X users began circulating old tweets she made more than a decade ago.

In a lengthy statement shared on X, Simi said she felt compelled to clarify the situation after the tweets were brought to her attention.

“I haven’t been on Twitter today, but someone brought a few of my old tweets to my attention, and I can’t not address it,” she wrote.

She explained that the tweets were made in 2012 when she was 23 years old and not yet famous. At the time, she said she was living at home and helping her mother run a daycare while working on her music career.

According to her, her posts about children reflected normal, everyday interactions.

“Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it. Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss and cuddle them. I tweet about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion,” she added.

Simi maintained that she would not accept what she described as attempts to twist her words.

“I’m not here to make excuses because I don’t have anything to make excuses for. What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives,” she said.

She acknowledged that she may not have understood at the time that old posts could later be scrutinised and interpreted differently, especially as a public figure.

“I was not famous, so maybe if I was, I would have understood that anything is open to whatever interpretation including being used falsely by a faceless mob,” she wrote.

The singer stressed that she has never engaged in inappropriate conduct and had no reason to hide anything. She said she was expressive and open online, including about people she admired.

Simi also disclosed that her team had begun deleting some of the old tweets due to how sensitive the situation had become for her family. She noted that she initially did not want the posts removed.

“My team has been deleting some of my tweets because of how sensitive it is for my family. To be honest, I did not want to,” she wrote.

Reaffirming her stance on sexual violence, she said her advocacy predates her fame.

“I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault even before you knew I existed. It’s not a costume I’m wearing, it’s who I am,” she stated.

She concluded by standing by her earlier remarks. “I’ve never claimed to be perfect. I’ve never claimed to know everything. I said stop raping women. I stand by it.”