Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem criticizes President Tinubu in his new song Tell Your Papa, calling him a poor leader despite being a good father to Seyi Tinubu. The track sparked censorship controversy, igniting debates on free speech, governance, and the struggles faced by Nigerian youth under Tinubu's administration.
Veteran rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem has stirred public debate with his latest track Tell Your Papa, criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s leadership while distancing the message from personal attacks on the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu.
Abdulkareem explained the song was triggered by Seyi’s public claim that his father is “the greatest president in Nigeria’s history.” Responding on Channels TV’s Rubbin’ Minds, the artist said the track was a reaction to that statement, calling on Seyi to urge his father to fix Nigeria’s worsening economic and security conditions.
“Electricity, jobs, security — that’s all Nigerian youths are asking for,” he said. He stressed that while Tinubu might be a devoted father to Seyi, his governance fails to reflect that care toward Nigerian citizens. Abdulkareem challenged Seyi to experience life without state security and feel what everyday Nigerians endure.
The National Broadcasting Commission quickly banned the song, reigniting debate about censorship and freedom of speech. Notably, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka criticized the ban, calling it an attack on democratic expression.
Abdulkareem compared the controversy to the 2004 ban of his iconic Nigeria Jaga Jaga, which he noted remains relevant today. Known for using music to address political issues, he previously targeted President Tinubu and religious leaders in his 2024 track Emi Lo Kan.
On Instagram, he called the current administration “insensitive and vindictive,” adding, “The conscience is an open wound; only the truth can heal it.”
