Afrobeat artist Femi Kuti, who has received a Grammy nomination, has expressed that some of his family's most formidable adversaries are individuals from their own ethnic group, the Yoruba.

During his address at the 2024 Felaberation Festival in Lagos, he highlighted former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late business tycoon MKO Abiola as notable opponents of the Kuti family.

Kuti emphasized that his family rejects tribalism, having been influenced by pan-Africanist ideals throughout their upbringing.

“Brothers and sisters, something very important is going on in our lives; ethnic problems. You call it tribalism. Please, do not bring the Anikulapos in your stupidity,” he said.

“We grew up with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Patrice Lumumba, Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

“Pan-Africanism was the order of the day. So, I didn’t grow up being sentimental. I saw good people, bad people. I’ve got great European friends, I’ve got terrible European friends. I’ve got great African friends, I’ve got terrible African friends.

“One of our [the Kuti family’s] greatest enemies as you know are Yoruba people; Obasanjo or Abiola. We are not tribalistic in our family.