Veteran musician Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has reaffirmed his long-held view that criminals have taken over Nigeria’s political system, saying he has not backed down from his earlier remarks.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Mic On podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, released on Saturday, the singer said his 2019 statement remains relevant, given the country’s current realities.

2Baba first sparked national debate years ago when he criticised Nigeria’s leadership, describing the system as a “total joke” dominated by corrupt actors. In a post shared on his X handle at the time, he accused politicians of deliberately ensuring the country remained backward and called on young people in governance to push for positive change.

Asked if he still stood by those comments, the singer said the problem runs deeper than one individual, noting that politicians often hide behind the president to avoid accountability. He urged Nigerians to begin demanding responsibility from leaders at all levels, including councillors, local government officials, lawmakers and senators.

According to him, while corruption may never be completely eliminated anywhere in the world, Nigeria can still make progress by strengthening its institutions rather than empowering individuals. “We have powerful people, but not powerful institutions,” he said.

On the 2027 general elections, 2Baba expressed cautious optimism, stressing that credible polls depend largely on citizens’ vigilance. He encouraged Nigerians to closely monitor the process at polling units instead of resorting to protests.

The music icon also reflected on personal regrets, admitting he wished he had gained stronger business knowledge earlier in his career and better guidance on managing fame. While acknowledging the downsides of being overly open, he said he remains grateful for his journey and lessons learned.