Eedris Defends New Song, Says It’s A Response To Seyi Tinubu, Not An Attack

Eedris Abdulkareem, a veteran Nigerian singer and rapper, has vehemently denied that his new song, “Tell Your Papa,” is a personal attack on Seyi Tinubu, President Bola Tinubu’s son.

Instead, Abdulkareem claims the song is a direct response to Seyi Tinubu’s March 2025 statements, in which he declared his father Nigeria’s “best-ever president.”

On Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds program on Sunday, Abdulkareem stated, “Nigerian youths are simply asking for the basics: electricity, security, an enabling economic environment, job creation, and not palliatives. So, why should I target Seyi Tinubu personally?

“If Seyi Tinubu had never mentioned it, I would not have recorded that song. So, I am responding to the video he made. If he had remained silent, I would not have said anything. I was inspired by Seyi Tinubu to record that song.”

The rapper explained that the song’s purpose is to encourage Seyi Tinubu to communicate the pressing issues confronting Nigerians to his father, the President.

He referenced a widely circulated video in which Seyi Tinubu repeatedly praised his father’s leadership.

“I saw a video where he was campaigning for his father and defending him, saying ‘My father is the best president, my father is the greatest president, they are coming for my father.’” Abdulkareem recounted.

“He (Seyi) repeated it about six times. But, for Seyi, I disagree because it appears more perfect when you are silent than when you speak. I would advise Seyi to hand over the microphone to the MC next time.

“He lacks the charisma and purpose to express himself, telling the truth about Nigeria’s true economic situation under his father’s administration.”

Abdulkareem also argued that, while President Tinubu may be a good father to his son, ordinary Nigerians’ experiences are vastly different.

“He (Tinubu) has empowered Seyi as his son, but Nigerian youths lack jobs, let alone food to eat. Nigerian youths cannot travel by road, so I request that Seyi Tinubu travel by road without his security. “Let him experience the pains of ordinary citizens,” he said.

The release of “Tell Your Papa” was met with controversy, with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) quickly banning the song from radio and television airplay, calling it “inappropriate.”

This ban has sparked widespread condemnation, including from Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, who described the move as a return to censorship and a threat to the right to free expression.

During the interview, Abdulkareem also lamented the continued relevance of his previous hit song, “Nigeria Jagajaga,” which was released 24 years ago and highlights the country’s lack of significant progress and development.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s freedom of expression and calls into question the government’s response to criticism, particularly when expressed through artistic mediums.

The debate over Abdulkareem’s song and subsequent ban is expected to continue in the coming days.