Simi Releases Official Statement After Wave of Twitter Bullying

Simi Addresses Online Backlash, Reaffirms Stance Against Sexual Violence

Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, professionally known as Simi, has publicly addressed a wave of online bullying and renewed scrutiny over old social media posts following her recent comments condemning rape and sexual assault.

In a statement released on February 22, the artist made one thing unequivocally clear: her advocacy against sexual violence is not performative, and no amount of coordinated backlash will deter her from speaking out.

How It Started: A Viral Allegation and Escalating Reactions

Earlier this month, a rape allegation went viral after a young woman publicly accused a man of assault. As often happens with such cases, social media quickly polarized into supporters and skeptics.

Weighing in, Simi expressed anger and frustration at what she described as rape culture, writing that rapists should be “castrated” and “burned.” Her emotionally charged post sparked intense debate. When some users asked what punishment false accusers should face, she responded sharply, clarifying that her focus was on the immediate issue of sexual violence—not hypothetical counter-scenarios.

What followed was not simply disagreement, but days of sustained harassment. Critics shifted the conversation away from sexual violence and instead began resurfacing decade-old tweets in an attempt to question her credibility.

The Resurfaced Tweets and the Online Storm

The posts in question date back to 2012 and 2013, when Simi was 23 years old. At the time, she was helping at her mother’s daycare while building her music career. The resurfaced tweets referenced children she interacted with in that environment—posts she says reflected casual, real-time commentary about her daily life.

In her statement, Simi directly addressed the issue:

“Nothing I tweeted was from perversion.”

She explained that she tweeted freely at the time, often sharing humorous or affectionate observations. However, she strongly rejected what she described as deliberate misinterpretation of those posts.

“What I can't let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives.”

Some of the old posts were deleted, a move she said was motivated by concern for her family rather than an admission of guilt.

“It’s Not a Costume I’m Wearing”

In her response, Simi framed the controversy as a distortion of her record rather than an exposure of hidden intent. She emphasized that her advocacy against rape and sexual assault long predates her current visibility.

“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 said stop raping women. I stand by it.”

She also made it clear that she was addressing the resurfaced posts not out of obligation, but to protect her peace.

“I'm not here to make excuses because I don't have anything to make excuses for.”

Her statement underscored growth, context, and intent while acknowledging that she has never claimed to be perfect.

Industry and Fan Reactions

Despite the backlash, Simi has received significant support from her fanbase and several public commentators. Many supporters argue that the timing of the resurfaced tweets appears less like a genuine call for accountability and more like a calculated attempt to distract from her stance against sexual violence.

Several voices online have criticized what they describe as “mob fashion” outrage where criticism escalates beyond the original issue into personal attacks and reputational damage.

The controversy has also drawn attention to a broader pattern on social media: the weaponization of archived posts to undermine present-day advocacy.

The Core Message Remains Unchanged

Amid the noise, Simi’s position has remained consistent. She stands by her condemnation of rape and sexual assault and rejects efforts to reframe her past through what she calls a hostile lens.

Her final message is direct and unambiguous:

“I’ve never claimed to be perfect. I’ve never claimed to know everything. I said stop raping women. I stand by it.”

In an era where public figures are frequently scrutinized through the archives of their digital past, Simi’s response signals a refusal to be silenced by online intimidation. For her, the issue at the center of the conversation remains unchanged: ending violence against women.