Veteran singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has reaffirmed his long-held view that criminals have taken over Nigeria, stressing that he has not withdrawn his earlier comments on the country’s political and governance challenges.
Gatekeepers News reports that the music icon restated his position during a recent episode of the Mic On podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, released on Saturday, where he reflected on leadership, accountability, and the role of citizens in demanding better governance.
His remarks revisited a controversial statement he first made in 2019, which sparked nationwide debate and intense reactions across political and social spaces.
At the time, 2Baba had taken to his official X handle, formerly Twitter, to express deep frustration with Nigeria’s political system. In his words, “Naija system is a total joke. Criminals have hijacked Naija. Men and women that have dedicated their time 2 make sure that naija will carry last.. No shame. No dignity. No honor. I pray the young men that have entered the system will do their best to influence positive change.”
Asked if he still stood by those words, the singer responded firmly: “I still stand by the statement. It’s crazy how things are happening right now and then you can’t pinpoint one person. You know that something is wrong. Everybody will hide behind president. If DPO for one place for Osun collect bribe or do something, everybody will hide behind, Ah! Nah Tinubu nah him cause am, that is how it has been day in day out. All our politicians dey hide behind one cover.”
He argued that meaningful change would only occur if citizens begin to demand accountability from leaders at all levels, particularly those closest to the people. 2Baba said, “As I said about engaging with the youth and sensitizing them to understand this thing. Dey get House of Reps, they get senators, Dey fully represent them. I think people should start demanding accountability from that level, from local women chairman, from councilor, from House of Reps. Make everybody start holding everybody accountable.”
On whether Nigeria has indeed been overtaken by corrupt politicians, 2Baba said, “Yes, but I think if it happens that gradually majority of the people wey dey handle stuff that has to do service to community, service to the nation. We no fit wipe out corruption totally. I don’t think there’s anywhere in this world where one or two small, small, but at least let us build, let us grow. Let us make our institutions stronger. We just have people that are powerful. We don’t have institutions that are powerful.”
Turning to 2027 general elections, the singer expressed cautious hope that the process could be credible, but stressed that citizens must remain vigilant. When asked if he believed the elections would be free and fair, he said, “It should be.”
However, he added that public participation and monitoring were essential, noting, “That is a responsibility of all of us now. To put our eyes down, and at least make everybody cooperate. We don’t need to go street to go protest. Make nah this kind action. Make nah there the protest take place. Make everybody stay there, count the thing well. Wherever you dey, just put eye for this thing. I think we would have something close. It can never be perfect. But we have something good, at least we have a reasonable good result. Politics is… it’s not easy to represent people. It’s not easy at all.”
Beyond governance and politics, 2Baba also opened up about personal regrets and lessons learned from decades of fame and public life. He admitted that there were many things he wished had gone differently, saying, “Of course there’s a whole lot of stuff that I wish didn’t go the way they went,” before adding simply, “Plenty.”
Reflecting on one major lesson, he said, “I wish I been get serious business knowledge from beginning. I wish that I was given a manual on how to operate… fame… If I get manual, e for teach me how to manage fame and popularity. Because I’ve been an open book… and I think it’s been a good thing for me, but at the same time it’s hurting me gradually. I dey very open, I am very plain. My story… like I am too… Everybody knows what’s happening and it’s crazy. But now, e be like say I go start to dey vex small small, but all in all, I thank God for everything.”
