SIMI ADDRESSES CONTROVERSY OVER RESURFACED TWEETS

Read Time:1 Minute, 48 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

Nigerian singer and songwriter Simi has responded to controversy surrounding some of her old social media posts, stating that the comments were misinterpreted and unrelated to any improper conduct.

The renewed debate followed her recent remarks condemning rape during online discussions sparked by the “Mirabel TikToker” case. Simi had stated that men should stop raping women and suggested that rapists deserve castration, adding that nearly every woman she knows has experienced sexual assault. Her comments triggered heated exchanges on social media.

Days later, screenshots of tweets she posted between 2012 and 2013 resurfaced, prompting backlash from some users. In a statement shared on Sunday, the singer said she felt compelled to clarify the context of the posts after they 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.

Simi explained that in 2012 she lived with her mother and helped at her mother’s daycare centre while working to build her music career. She said her tweets at the time reflected everyday experiences and observations.

“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 stated.

She stressed that her comments should not be twisted to fit what she described as false narratives, adding that some of the tweets had been deleted due to the sensitivity of the situation for her family.

“I’ve never been depraved in my life,” she said.

Reaffirming her stance on sexual violence, Simi maintained that her condemnation of rape was consistent with her long-held beliefs.

“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… I said stop raping women. I stand by it,” she added.

The development has continued to generate debate across social media, with mixed reactions over the interpretation of the resurfaced posts.