Popular Nigerian music couple Simi and Adekunle Gold are currently at the centre of a social media storm as several of their old, controversial tweets have resurfaced online, sparking widespread criticism and debate among netizens.
The controversy ignited after Simi publicly called for the castration and burning of rapists, a stance she took amidst public outrage following allegations of sexual assault by a TikToker identified as Mirabel.
However, Simi faced immediate backlash when unverified reports circulated that Mirabel had recanted her story, leading many to accuse Simi of silence on the alleged retraction.
Simi has always been vocal against rape and gender based violence towards women, and social media users have unearthed some of her old, controversial tweets on the topic.
As the online debate intensified, Adekunle Gold was also drawn into the fray, with some of his old tweets resurfacing over the weekend. Among the unearthed tweets, a 2012 post by Simi described a 4-year-old having a crush on her and “acting like he wana loc lip” with her, followed by another post joking about the same child “trying to put hand inside my shet (sic)”.
Adekunle Gold’s resurfaced tweets from 2012 included comments about not liking girls who sit with their legs closed and expressing a preference for girls who are “very vulnerable and defenceless.”
Simi has responded to the controversy surrounding her resurfaced 2012 tweets, stating that the posts were misinterpreted and used to construct a misleading narrative.
The singer, who was 23 at the time, had shared updates about her daily routine while working at her mother’s daycare centre and simultaneously pursuing her music career.
The resurfacing of these tweets has led to a fresh wave of criticism, with many social media users expressing disappointment and questioning the couple’s past remarks in light of their current public personas and advocacy.
The incident highlights the enduring impact of digital footprints and the challenges public figures face when past statements are brought back into the spotlight.
