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KWAM1’s ‘Ganusi’ remark ignites clash over faith, culture

By Oluwadamilola Akinduro

In what has become a firestorm of controversy, veteran Fuji music maestro, Wasiu Ayinde, better known as KWAM1, has found himself at the centre of a storm that has ignited fierce debate across Nigerian social media.

The storm, sparked by his use of the Yoruba street slang “ganusi” during a segment of his mother’s Fidau prayers, has created a deep rift, not just between fans and critics, but between faith, culture, and respect.

The incident: The spark that lit the fire

The tempest began during the Fidau ceremony for KWAM1’s late mother in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, where a host of esteemed Islamic clerics, state dignitaries, and other high-profile personalities gathered to pay their respects. The ceremony saw the presence of, among others, the revered Mufti of Ilorin Emirate, Shaykh Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa, who led the religious rites.

Amid the solemnity of the occasion, a video surfaced, showing KWAM1 casually discussing post-burial plans with some of the attending clerics. Unbeknownst to him, the camera was rolling, capturing his use of the slang “ganusi”—a term that loosely translates to “positioning the mouth wide open in anticipation of something.” It was perceived as a disrespectful term, implying that the clerics were beggars, waiting expectantly for material gain.

The video, once unleashed into the wilds of social media, spiralled out of control, sparking a furious backlash, particularly from members of the Sufi school of thought. Many saw KWAM1’s words as an insult to their esteemed clerics, with several leading figures in the Islamic community calling for an apology.

KWAM1, however, stood his ground. He rejected calls for an apology, maintaining that he had no intention to disrespect anyone and that issuing an apology would be tantamount to admitting guilt. His defiance only fuelled the flames, with several Sufi scholars, including the outspoken Al-Baarizy, demanding a full retraction within a week.

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A History of Tension

This is far from the first time KWAM1 has found himself at odds with the religious establishment. A similar controversy erupted at the Fidau ceremony of fellow Fuji artist Saheed Osupa’s mother when KWAM1 was accused of meddling with the donations made to the attending clerics, a practice customary in many southern Nigerian ceremonies.

For many, KWAM1’s remarks at his own mother’s Fidau appeared to be another chapter in a history of perceived disrespect towards Islamic clerics, adding fuel to an already volatile situation.

The clash of faiths: Sufi vs Sunni

The controversy also brings into sharp focus the simmering tensions between the Sufi and Sunni branches of Islam in Nigeria’s southwest. While Sunni scholars have long disapproved of the integration of music and elaborate ceremonies into religious practices, the Sufi tradition embraces such customs. This division has once again been exposed by the clash surrounding KWAM1’s remarks.

Shaykh Onikijipa, who led the prayers at the Fidau, defended the musician, explaining that his attendance at the ceremony was a gesture of reciprocity, as KWAM1 had attended his daughter’s wedding earlier, despite his own grief. Yet, this explanation was met with scorn by Sunni scholars, who argued that religious principles should never be compromised for personal ties.

A defender amid the storm

Amid the rising tide of criticism, a voice of reason emerged in the form of Shaykh Dr. Sa’eed Lafiagi, a prominent Islamic scholar. In a stirring defence of the embattled musician, Lafiagi contended that KWAM1’s use of “ganusi” had been misinterpreted. He argued that the term was merely a reflection of the casual, streetwise manner in which KWAM1 spoke to his friends, a way of communicating that often does not fit the formalities of public discourse.

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Lafiagi also questioned the outraged clerics, pointing to what he saw as hypocrisy in their response. He noted that many of the same scholars who were offended by “ganusi” had been silent when far worse language had been used against the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

A bigger picture: A debate beyond words

What began as an innocuous, off-the-cuff remark by a grieving musician has ballooned into a national conversation about religious sensitivity, cultural norms, and the role of traditional Islamic scholarship in modern Nigerian society. Whether KWAM1 will bow to the mounting pressure and apologise remains unclear. However, one thing is certain: the debate over the term “ganusi” has uncovered deeper cultural and religious divides that have long simmered beneath the surface of Nigeria’s Muslim community.

This controversy, with its intense public scrutiny and heightened emotions, has exposed the delicate balancing act that must be maintained between tradition, faith, and respect in an ever-evolving world. Will KWAM1 make amends, or will he continue to stand firm in his defence? Only time will tell, but for now, the conversation rages on.

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KWAM1’s ‘Ganusi’ remark ignites clash over faith, culture

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