The late singer’s children first opposed the decision by her uncle, Dr. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, to declare that he passed away from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, according to Yeni Kuti, the daughter of afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
After being convinced repeatedly by family members, she claimed they ultimately agreed for their uncle to make the announcement.
In a recent conversation with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Yeni made this revelation.
The dancer claimed that she afterwards realized her uncle’s choice was the best because it definitively put all rumors concerning the cause of the great musician’s passing to rest.
Then, she continued, “I didn’t think it was the best for his brother [Dr. Olikoye Ransome Kuti] to say he [Fela] died of AIDS.
“I recall a significant argument my uncle and I—Fela’s children—had at one point. Fela’s AIDS diagnosis has already been made at the medical facility.
When the diagnosis was announced, Uncle Koye wasn’t in town. He then arrived about two days later.He then contacted Femi, Shola, and I and said, “You know what has happened, I’m going to tell the press that he has AIDS.”
“We responded, ‘No way. We still believed Fela would live at the time. We told them, “Look, if Fela survives, let him; it’s not your place to announce that Fela has AIDS.” He then said, “Okay, you have a point.”
“But then Fela passed away. And he [Dr. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti] stated he would disclose Fela’s HIV status.
“We fought with him. The entire family began advising us not to lie since someone would eventually find out. So we reluctantly consented.
“However, I have to admit that I believe my uncle made the right choice in this situation. They [journalists] would still be asking themselves “what killed Fela?’ underground if he had not declared it.
