KEY POINTS

• Eedris Abdulkareem denies attacking Seyi Tinubu, stating his song ‘Tell Your Papa’ was a response to Seyi’s claim that President Tinubu is Nigeria’s best leader.
• The NBC’s ban on the song has drawn criticism, with Wole Soyinka and others condemning it as an attack on free speech.
• Abdulkareem lamented that his 24-year-old song ‘Nigeria Jagajaga’ remains relevant due to persistent economic and security challenges.

Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has denied claims that his latest song, ‘Tell Your Papa,’ was a personal attack on Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.

Instead, the veteran musician insists the track was a direct response to Seyi’s public declaration that his father is Nigeria’s “best-ever president.”

“Nigerian youths are just asking for basics: electricity, security, enabling economic environment, job creation and not palliatives,” Abdulkareem explained during an appearance on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds programme. “So, why should I attack Seyi Tinubu personally? If Seyi Tinubu never talked about it, I wouldn’t have recorded a song like that. I am replying to the video that he made.”

The controversy began in March 2025 when Seyi Tinubu, during a public event in Yola, Adamawa State, passionately defended his father’s administration, calling him Nigeria’s greatest leader.

Abdulkareem’s song, which critiques the country’s economic and security challenges, was swiftly banned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), sparking backlash from free speech advocates, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

Nigeria Jagajaga still relevant after 24 years – Abdulkareem

Reflecting on his 2001 hit ‘Nigeria Jagajaga,’ which criticized poor governance, Abdulkareem expressed frustration that the song remains relevant today. “I was inspired by Seyi Tinubu to record this new song,” he said. “I saw a video where he was campaigning for his father, saying ‘My father is the best president, my father is the greatest president…’ But for Seyi, I differ because it looks more perfect when you are silent than when you speak.”

The rapper advised Seyi to refrain from public commentary on governance, arguing that his privileged position shields him from the struggles of ordinary Nigerians. “He (Tinubu) has empowered Seyi as his son, but Nigerian youths don’t have jobs, talk less of food to eat. The Nigerian youths can’t travel by road, so I ask Seyi Tinubu to travel by road without his security. Let him feel the pains of ordinary citizens,” Abdulkareem stated.

The NBC’s ban has intensified debates over censorship and artistic freedom in Nigeria. Soyinka condemned the move, warning against a return to authoritarian media controls. Meanwhile, supporters of Abdulkareem argue that his music reflects widespread public dissatisfaction with rising inflation, unemployment, and insecurity under the current administration..