Veteran rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem has responded to the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) ban on his new single, “Tell Your Papa,” calling it an attempt to silence truth and stifle criticism.
The NBC, in a memo dated April 9, 2025, cited a violation of decency standards as the reason for the ban.
Reacting on Instagram, Abdulkareem labeled the move as politically motivated, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of being “insensitive” and “vindictive.”
He likened the situation to the 2004 censorship of his protest hit “Jaga Jaga” under the Obasanjo government, questioning the country’s progress in tolerating dissenting voices.
“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 added.
Abdulkareem further criticized the NBC’s directive to broadcast stations, which labeled the song as “Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB)” due to its “objectionable nature” under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. He suggested the move was a deliberate effort to shield the government from public scrutiny.
“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 noted.
