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Veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has taken to social media to criticize President Bola
Tinubu’s administration following the ban of his latest song “Tell Your Papa”.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Abdulkareem accused the Tinubu government of being
“insensitive, vindictive, and grossly maleficent,” claiming that constructive criticism is treated as a crime under the current administration.
“Just under two years of his presidency, and the results are frighteningly abysmal from all fronts.
This is a fact known by all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, tribe, or political affiliations, except for the few happy slaves groveling for crumbs from their paymaster’s table,” he wrote.
Drawing parallels to the past, Abdulkareem recalled how his 2004 hit song “Jaga Jaga” was banned by the Obasanjo administration, questioning why Nigeria has failed to make significant progress over the years.
The controversy comes after the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) issued a directive barring radio and television stations from airing “Tell Your Papa.”
In a memo signed by Susan Obi, Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, the NBC declared the song Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The memo, titled “Restriction on Broadcasting
‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem,” stated:
“The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature.
It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.”
Despite the ban, “Tell Your Papa” has continued to gain traction online. In the song, Abdulkareem calls out Seyi Tinubu, son of President Tinubu, urging him to confront his father about the country’s worsening socioeconomic conditions.
He raps:
“Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.
Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises.
On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him: kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.
Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians.
You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem.”
