Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has criticised the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over its decision to ban his latest single, ‘Tell Your Papa’, from being aired on radio and television stations nationwide.

In a memo dated April 9, 2025, the NBC declared the song “Not To Be Broadcast” for violating Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits content considered to be of an “objectionable nature.”

Reacting on Thursday via his official Instagram account, Abdulkareem condemned the move as an attempt to silence dissent. “NBC just banned my new single ‘Tell Your Papa’… It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government,” he wrote.

He likened the situation to the 2004 ban of his protest anthem ‘Jaga Jaga’ during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, questioning the country’s democratic progress.

“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 stated.

Abdulkareem further alleged that the ban was part of a broader 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!”