Alikiba Apologizes to Tanzanians Amid Backlash Over Artists’ Support for President Samia Suluhu

Celebrated Bongo Flava star Alikiba has issued a public apology to Tanzanians following a wave of backlash directed at several top artists who have recently expressed support for President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

In a message shared on his Instagram stories, Alikiba wrote, “Poleni ndugu zangu Watanzania na ninaomba msamaha kwa kuwa kwaza .” 

Although he did not clarify what prompted the apology, it comes at a time when Tanzanian entertainers are under heavy public criticism for their perceived political alignment.

The controversy intensified after a group of influential musicians — including Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, Harmonize, Rayvanny, Nandy, and Alikiba himself — publicly endorsed President Samia Suluhu ahead of the recent general elections.

Elections and Celebrity Endorsements

The apology follows Tanzania’s October 2025 general election, which saw heightened political activity across the country.

In the lead-up to the polls, several high-profile artists — including Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, Harmonize, Rayvanny, Nandy, and Alikiba — appeared in campaign events and released messages expressing their support for President Samia Suluhu’s re-election bid.

Many of the artists performed at government rallies or used their platforms to praise the president’s leadership, describing her as a symbol of progress and unity.

However, the move angered a large segment of the public, with critics accusing the musicians of exploiting their influence for political gain and overlooking citizens’ frustrations over economic hardships.

Fans Turn Against Their Idols

Over the past week, social media platforms have been flooded with criticism from Tanzanians who feel betrayed by celebrities they once admired.

Many fans accused the musicians of using their influence to promote the ruling government instead of speaking up for the struggles ordinary citizens face, including rising living costs and unemployment.

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Hashtags such as #ArtistsForSamia and #UnfollowMovement have trended on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram as thousands of users announced they were unfollowing musicians they viewed as “out of touch.”

Big Names Lose Followers

The backlash has had immediate consequences. Superstar Diamond Platnumz has lost over 100,000 Instagram followers, while Harmonize has seen a decline of more than 8,000 followers. Singer Zuchu, one of Wasafi’s most celebrated artists, has lost over 6,000 followers.

The wave of unfollows began after videos surfaced showing some of the artists performing and publicly praising President Samia Suluhu at campaign events.

Fans accused them of prioritizing politics over their art and betraying the neutral image that once made Tanzanian music a unifying force.  Nanahvirgo commented , “We made the wrong people famous .''

Other musicians, including Rayvanny, Nandy, and Marioo, also faced criticism for appearing to align themselves with the government during a politically tense period.