Eedris Abdulkareem’s Banned Song "Tell Your Papa" Gains Massive Traction
Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has once again stirred controversy with his latest protest track, "Tell Your Papa," which criticises President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Despite being banned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the song has seen a surge in streams and engagement across digital platforms.
The Song’s Rising Popularity Amid Ban
YouTube Views: Jumped from 22,754 to 82,138 views in days.
Likes: Increased from 1,200 to 2,600 likes (showing strong audience support).
Spotify Streams: Over 30,116 plays, proving Nigerians are still listening despite the ban.
The NBC banned the song on April 10, citing a violation of broadcasting codes. However, Abdulkareem fired back, accusing the government of suppressing dissent, comparing the situation to the 2004 ban of his hit "Jaga Jaga."
Wole Soyinka Slams NBC Over Censorship
Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka condemned the ban, calling it a "return to dictatorship-era censorship." In a statement, he said:
"The ban is a boost to the artist’s earnings, thanks to free government promotion. Abdulkareem must be laughing all the way to the bank."
Soyinka warned that censorship threatens democracy and urged the NBC to reverse its decision.
Public Reactions to the Ban
Fans and activists have flooded social media with support for Abdulkareem:
Sheggzyunited (YouTube):"Naija government, this is 2025! There’s no single lie in the song."
Asa Anthony:"They banned it because the message hit hard. We’ll keep streaming!"
Directorjoelmatt (Instagram):"Our government hates the truth."
Why This Matters
The NBC’s ban has backfired, leading to more streams and discussions—proving that
censorship often amplifies dissent. With heavyweights like Wole Soyinka speaking out, the debate on free speech in Nigeria continues to grow.
What do you think? Should the NBC lift the ban? Let us know in the comments!
Page manager
