The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a stern ultimatum to the Federal Government and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), demanding the immediate lifting of the broadcast ban placed on Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest song, “Tell Your Papa.”
The NBC had previously directed radio and television stations across the country to stop airing the politically charged song, in which the veteran artist openly criticizes President Bola Tinubu and his son, Seyi Tinubu. The commission cited the track’s content as being in violation of the broadcasting code.
However, in a statement released via its official X handle on Thursday, April 10, 2025, SERAP described the ban as a breach of the right to freedom of expression and warned of legal consequences should the decision not be reversed within 48 hours.
“BREAKING: 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,” the group tweeted. “We’ll see in court if the ban is not reversed within 48 hours.”
The protest song has generated significant attention online. In the track, Abdulkareem addresses Seyi Tinubu directly, asking him to confront his father over the country’s deteriorating state. A video accompanying the song shows the rapper delivering his message with urgency and defiance.
Reactions have continued to trail SERAP’s announcement, especially on social media platform X, where Nigerians have shared mixed feelings. While some users expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of SERAP’s threat, others welcomed the legal pushback.
@belly112 questioned the organization’s consistency, saying, “Serap what have you done with Rivers issue? Everytime issuing useless warnings that yield no results!” Another user, @LastbornSa30802, remarked, “That’s a good move.”
