FG hammers Edris Abdulkareem over controversial song, ‘Tell Your Papa,’ Nigerians react
Eedris
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has imposed a ban on the airing of Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest protest song, “Tell Your Papa.”
In a letter dated April 9, 2025, the NBC, issued a directive to all broadcast stations, classifying the song as “Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB)” due to its “objectionable nature,”
The letter reads: “The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song. “Tell your papa” by Edris 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 Scetion 3.1.8. of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code. The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.”
Ace Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem had released a new protest song, calling on President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, to urge his father to address the state of the nation.
Abdulkareem criticised the worsening economic and security conditions in the country and challenges the younger Tinubu to live like ordinary Nigerians.
The rapper’s jab comes after a viral video of Seyi Tinubu, describing his father as “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history,” surfaced on social media. The remark sparked backlash amid ongoing national hardships.
“Seyi, tell your papa, country hard. Tell your papa, people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga,” the rapper sings in Pidgin English, referencing his earlier protest anthem “Jaga Jaga.”
Following the ban, a lot of Nigerians have vowed to stream the song on other streaming platforms.
Georage wrote: “I think with ban, NCC just gave the song a free promotion. I have not heard it but with the ban, I am eager to it from other music platforms.”
iambgo wrote: ‘‘They just made the song popular. I be never heard about it. I am now going to check it out.”
o.oluwadamilola wrote: “Commendable movement by FG. I Hope people don’t get it twisted but people like Idris doesn’t care about what’s going on in the country but just want to make use of the current situation to trend and basically for clout. We know how we can fight the govt now without all those useless egbon that contributed nothing to the country.”
ayinde_of_egbaland wrote: “Ordinary 50cent wey you fight your career vanish, but you wan use Tinubu revive your career. boda idris ori ntayin sir.”
__ololade__ wrote: “Nah military regime we dey in disguise.”
nolimitdamola wrote: “lol how is this possible. Shey them go tell Apple Music and the rest platforms to remove. Banana republic.”
iamdx2 wrote: “They just made the song gets more streams.”
Instead of banning the song, maybe there should have been a national conversation around the issues it raises. Silencing voices often just makes them louder, especially in an era where digital platforms can carry a message further than ever.
It is unfortunate that Nigerian Institutions are manned by people whose actions are questionable and unpatriotic.
Listen, our politicians are privilege public servants and must not frown at citizens ‘ public criticism.
It is stupid to be loyal to anyone against the interest of the State or Institutions that empower such rights.
I listened to the song and it was obvious truth telling Seyi to travel by road and see what Nigerians are suffering.
It is worthless and outright condemnable to consider unpatriotic politicians as sacred cows who we must seek to please.
Where in the song did Edris Aldukareem lied? Are all the issues he raised not true?
Whether he is seeking to promote himself, I salute his bravery for speaking out the truth.
Nigeria belong to all of us, and we have rights to challenge any institutions whose actions affect us negatively.
NCC placing a ban on the song sells her trust and confidence.
It is a shame