Nigerian singer Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, better known as Simi, is at the center of a heated online storm after old tweets from 2012 resurfaced, sparking accusations of hypocrisy amid her recent vocal stance against rape and sexual assault.
The controversy ignited last week when Simi posted a passionate plea on X (formerly Twitter): "STOP RAPING WOMEN!!" This came in response to a debunked rape allegation involving TikToker Mirabel, who later retracted her claims. Simi's strong words drew mixed reactions, but soon, netizens began digging into her past posts, unearthing tweets from over a decade ago when she was 23 and helping at her mother's daycare in Lagos.
One resurfaced tweet from March 14, 2012, read: "David has a crush on me. He's always tryna put his hand inside my shirt. Should I give him a chance? P.S: He's 4." Critics quickly labeled this and similar posts as inappropriate, accusing Simi of sexualizing a minor and calling for investigations. Some users pointed out perceived double standards, arguing that if a man had made similar comments, the backlash would be even more severe. For instance, one X user remarked, "Simi screaming 'stop raping women' & calling for castration/burning rapists, but her old tweets about kids in daycare are straight disturbing. Hypocrite much?"
Others echoed this sentiment, highlighting gender disparities in accountability. "Everything just seems unfair to men... You want gender equality but not equal accountability. Shame on Simi and those defending her reckless tweets," posted another user. The debate has fueled discussions on protecting all children equally, with hashtags like #ProtectBoysToo gaining traction.
In a detailed response shared on X on February 22, 2026, Simi addressed the uproar, insisting her tweets were innocent and misinterpreted. "14 years ago, I was 23, so I was definitely not a child. I'm not here to make excuses because I don't have anything to make excuses for. What I can't let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives," she wrote. She explained that in 2012, she was living with her mother and assisting at the daycare while pursuing her music career. "I tweeted everything that happened in my life, as we all did at the time. Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it. Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss and cuddle them. I tweet about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion."
Simi also noted that her team deleted some tweets to protect her family, though she was initially reluctant. Reaffirming her commitment to fighting sexual violence, she added, "I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault even before you knew I existed. It's not a costume I'm wearing, it's who I am. I've never claimed to be perfect... I said stop raping women. I stand by it."
Supporters have rallied around the singer, arguing the backlash is overblown and rooted in misogyny. One defender stated, "Comparing her tweets to the degenerate and perverse things that guy tweeted is hyperbolic and wrong. The witch hunt against Simi started because she said 'STOP RAPING WOMEN' Let's be fr here." Another user emphasized, "Simi's posts about her daily interactions with the children in her mother's daycare center were harmless... She should apologize for her rape stereotype post & move on. What's there?"
Nigeria's National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) weighed in, urging the public to report credible evidence of child abuse without resorting to unsubstantiated flaming. The agency stressed the importance of verified stories over online speculation.
This isn't the first time Simi has faced scrutiny for her outspoken views. Known for her advocacy on women's issues, she has previously shared that "almost every woman I know has been sexually assaulted," drawing both praise and criticism. As the conversation continues on social media, it raises broader questions about accountability for past statements in the digital age, especially for public figures.
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