Tanzanian music icon Alikiba has issued a public apology to his fans and fellow citizens following criticism directed at several top artists who recently expressed support for President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The Aje hitmaker took to social media with a heartfelt message: “Poleni ndugu zangu, naomba msamaha kwa kuwakwaza,” meaning, “My brothers and sisters, I apologise for offending you.”
The apology follows weeks of speculation about growing tension between Alikiba and sections of his fanbase, who accused him of being distant and dismissive amid heated political debates during the recent elections that left several people dead and others injured.
While Alikiba did not specify what prompted his apology, many fans believe it relates to the political climate and his perceived alignment with the government.
Others suggested the apology could stem from misunderstandings involving his record label or comments made in earlier interviews.
Within hours, the hashtag #PoleniNduguZangu began trending on Tanzanian social media, with celebrities and fellow artists praising Alikiba for showing humility and emotional intelligence in an industry often defined by rivalry and ego.
In the run-up to the polls, several major artists, including Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, Harmonise, Rayvanny, Nandy, and Alikiba, publicly endorsed President Suluhu’s re-election bid, appearing at campaign events and praising her leadership.
However, the endorsements drew backlash from sections of the public who accused the musicians of using their platforms for political gain and ignoring citizens’ frustrations over economic hardships.
Due to the intense backlash, Diamond Platnumz lost over 100,000 Instagram followers, while Harmonize lost more than 8,000 followers.
Singer Zuchu, one of Wasafi’s most successful signees, has lost over 6,000 followers.