Seun Kuti tosses AY's justification for accepting the national award on the ground.

Seun Kuti tosses AY's justification for accepting the national award on the ground.

Nigerian stand-up comedian Ayo Makun, also known by his stage name AY, has received criticism from Seun Kuti for not rejecting his national honor medal.

Ayo Makun responded to opponents who questioned him on his decision to accept the honor bestowed upon him by the government in a tweet.

A national honor is the highest acknowledgement one might receive for their contributions to the development of a country, according to the father of two cum filmmaker, and he is more than willing to accept the honor.

AY's tweet read:

“Those of you shaming or asking me to reject ‘A National Honour’ are clearly missing a vital point.

Our country is bigger and more important than any president or political party awarding it. National honour is the highest recognition anyone can get for his or her contributions to nation building.

So my allegiance is to a country where I have contributed my own quota, and I am more than happy to be rewarded by the same nation.”

Seun Kuti responded by criticizing Ayo Makun for providing a needless justification for earning the prize on Instagram.

Seun Kuti repeated that the National Award is dependent on a presidential committee's recommendation and the president's assent. He mocked the comic, telling him to accept his "Buhari" prize and stop debating. Writing , Seun Kuti said:

“Let me reiterate, No be public opinion poll them take dey choose national award na by presidential committee then the president will accept the nomination of certain people. In as much as it’s a national honour, it’s a presidential appointment. Biko, receive ur BUHARI award and stop to dey Shalaye!!!”

“This is what I hate about sell outs. Is it that you don’t have chest or you can’t do anything with the chest! Resist the URGE to SHALAYE! Don’t try and dress HYPOCRISY as NATIONAL LOYALTY OR PATRIOTISM. With una 2 Homes and 2 Passports.”

A few hours ago, Seun Kuti taunted Nigerians who had just been honored by President Muhammadu Buhari, including the musician Davido, the director Kunle Afolayan, the comedian Ayo Makun, and others.

After consistently criticizing the government, the musician, who was just recently released from prison, mocked people who got national honors.

Seun Kuti questioned whether anyone would turn down the honors on moral grounds or if the administration had suddenly changed its ways. On Instagram, he wrote:

“Half of the people criticizing this government as the worst thing ever deh go collect award for Abuja from the same government? No one will reject it on principle. Or Buhari don legit? Make una just tell me o. I dey ask for one presidential candidate like that.

Next 3 1/2 years now, we start the same dance again. What do you stand for?”