‘Tell Your Papa’ : SERAP Gives FG 48-hour Ultimatum to Unban Eedris Abdulkareem’s Song

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

Tinubu Departs Brazil for Nigeria After State Visit

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has concluded a three-day state visit to Brazil, departing the country for Abuja on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The New Diplomat reports that the presidential jet took off from Brasília International Airport Air Force Base, with a ceremonial send-off attended by Brazil’s Secretary for Africa and the Middle…

President’s son jailed 6 years in fraud case as power tussle soars in Equatorial Guinea

• Two brothers at war over who succeeds Nguema Mbasogo By Obinna Uballa An Equatorial Guinea court has sentenced Ruslan Obiang Nsue, son of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, to six years in prison for illegally selling a plane belonging to the state airline, Ceiba Intercontinental, a case analysts say reflects growing rivalry within the…

Details: Why Roosevelt Ogbonna Quit Access HoldCo board

• He remains Bank MD, Says Access By Obinna Uballa Access Holdings Plc has explained that Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, resigned from the Board of the HoldCo to comply with regulatory guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The company, in a statement signed…

Ad

By Kolawole Ojebisi

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), demanding an immediate reversal of what it termed the unlawful ban placed on Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest protest song, “Tell Your Papa.”

This is contained in a statement issued on the organisation’s X platform on Friday.

According to the statement, SERAP described the ban as “a violation of the artist’s right to freedom of expression” and warned of impending legal action if the directive is not rescinded within the stipulated timeframe.

“The Tinubu administration must immediately reverse the unlawful ban by the National Broadcasting Commission stopping Nigerian radio and TV stations from airing Eedris Abdulkareem’s new single,” SERAP said. “We’ll see in court if the ban is not reversed within 48 hours.”

The NBC, in a memo dated April 9, 2025, and signed by Susan Obi, Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, had declared the song Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB). The Commission cited Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits materials deemed offensive or against public decency.

The memo titled “Restriction on broadcasting ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem” stated:

“The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song ‘Tell Your Papa’ by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature.”

“It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards.”

Eedris Abdulkareem, known for his socially and politically conscious music, has long used his platform to comment on governance, corruption, and social justice. His latest track, “Tell Your Papa,” allegedly criticizes the current administration over economic hardship and governance failures.

Critics have described NBC’s decision as an attempt to silence dissent and suppress artistic freedom, a sentiment echoed by SERAP in its statement.

Ad

X whatsapp