Veteran Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, has strongly criticised the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) after they banned his new protest song titled “Tell Your Papa.”
The NBC said the song goes against the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. In a memo dated April 9, 2025, the commission said the song is “Not To Be Broadcast” because it contains words they consider “offensive.”
Reacting to the ban on his Instagram page, Eedris said the action is a clear attempt to stop free speech and silence anyone who speaks the truth or criticises the government.
He accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of being unable to accept criticism.
“NBC just banned my new single ‘Tell Your Papa’… It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government,” Eedris wrote.
He also compared the ban to what happened in 2004 when his famous protest song “Jaga Jaga” was also banned by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. He questioned whether Nigeria has made any real progress since then.
“This present government led by President Bola Tinubu is now going on record as one of the most insensitive, vindictive and grossly maleficent administration ever to preside over the affairs of Nigeria,” he said.
Eedris also claimed that the NBC is trying to protect the government by stopping the public from hearing the truth.
“They are instructing broadcast houses to shield the government by hiding the candle under the table… Any wonder why Nigeria hasn’t made impactful strides all these years? The conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it. Aluta Continua!” he added.
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