Tinubu Government Faces Legal Threat Over Ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s Protest Song
posted 11th April 2025
Tinubu Government Faces Legal Threat Over Ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s Protest Song
LAGOS, Nigeria – The administration of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has been issued a 48-hour ultimatum to lift a controversial ban on a new single by veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, or face legal action, according to a prominent rights group.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) condemned the decision by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to prohibit radio and television stations across Nigeria from airing Abdulkareem’s politically charged track, Tell Your Papa. In a strongly worded statement, SERAP described the ban as “unlawful” and a direct attack on freedom of expression, vowing to take the matter to court if the restriction is not reversed by Saturday evening.
The NBC’s directive, issued on 9 April 2025, declared the song “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB), citing its “objectionable nature” and alleging it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits content deemed offensive or contrary to public decency. The song, released earlier this week, has sparked widespread debate for its sharp criticism of Nigeria’s leadership, particularly targeting Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, over the country’s worsening economic and security crises.
Abdulkareem, a long-time activist known for using music to challenge authority, has accused the Tinubu government of being “insensitive” and “vindictive” in its response to dissent. In a post on Instagram, the rapper drew parallels to the 2004 censorship of his hit Jaga Jaga under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, lamenting that Nigeria continues to stifle voices of truth. “It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government,” he wrote.
The lyrics of Tell Your Papa pull no punches, addressing Seyi Tinubu directly with lines like, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die,” and criticising the administration for “too many empty promises.” The song’s release follows Seyi Tinubu’s recent claim that his father is “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history,” a statement that has drawn ire amid rising poverty and insecurity.
SERAP’s ultimatum has ignited a broader conversation about artistic freedom and governance in Nigeria. Critics of the ban argue it reflects a growing intolerance for dissent, while supporters of the administration maintain that the song’s confrontational tone crosses ethical boundaries for public broadcasting.
As the deadline looms, all eyes are on the Tinubu government to see whether it will back down or face a courtroom showdown over the right to free speech. For Abdulkareem, the ban has only amplified his resolve. “The conscience is an open wound,” he declared, “only the truth can heal it.”
