Veteran Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, has claimed that an unidentified individual, who said he was a senator, offered him a bribe of N200 million. This alleged offer came shortly after the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) banned his new protest song, “Tell Your Papa.”
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Abdulkareem alleged that the caller, claiming to support his music and activism, offered him money under the guise of helping to promote his song secretly.
“I got a call from one criminal who claimed to be a honourable. He didn’t even allow me to hear his name. After a while, when I asked him who he was, he then said he was a senator,” Abdulkareem said in the video.
The Alleged Bribe Offer
Abdulkareem, known for his bold political lyrics, said the man told him he had just left a meeting with Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, and some government officials. The caller warned him that others might try to bribe him and claimed he wanted to offer “underground” support for the artist instead.
“He said, ‘They are going to call you and bribe you. Don’t listen to them. We are going to be sponsoring you underground.’ I asked him, ‘Who told you I need anything?’”
Abdulkareem said he rejected the offer on the spot, questioning why anyone would try to pay him off for speaking the truth.
Abdulkareem added, “Immediately I heard his voice, I knew he was sent by them. So, I told him I was not interested. He said, ‘We will give you N200m, don’t even listen to them.’ So I asked him, ‘The video I shot, was it you who sponsored me underground?’”
Angrily, the rapper continued, “You guys should go and rest somewhere, I am not interested. Thieves, may God punish all of you. You people are insane. I prepared for you a long time ago.”
Abdulkareem further accused those behind the alleged offer of trying to use manipulation and blackmail to silence him and discredit his message.
Controversy Over Song Ban
His song “Tell Your Papa” was banned by the NBC on April 10, 2025. The commission said the track violated the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, calling it “Not To Be Broadcast” because of its “objectionable content.”
The song criticizes the Tinubu administration for economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance. It directly calls out the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, and challenges him to speak to his father about the suffering of Nigerians.
Lines like “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die,” have made the song go viral online, especially among frustrated youth.
Outrage from Civil Society and Music Industry
The ban has sparked strong reactions from civil society groups and music industry leaders. The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) condemned NBC’s action and warned it could increase the song’s popularity instead of silencing it.
PMAN said in a statement, “This ban only serves to amplify the song’s reach and relevance in light of the current socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians.”
Similarly, the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) called the ban a clear abuse of power. Programme Officer Ayomide Eweje said NBC has abandoned its duty as a fair regulator and is now acting like a government mouthpiece.
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“The NBC has completely confused its role as a supposedly independent media regulatory body with that of a propaganda agency charged with shielding the government from criticism or embarrassment,” the group said.
Power of Protest Music
Eedris Abdulkareem has long been known for using music to call out injustice. His earlier hit, “Jaga Jaga,” was banned during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration but became an anthem for speaking truth to power.
With “Tell Your Papa,” Abdulkareem has once again struck a nerve. Despite the official ban, the song is trending on social media, as Nigerians share it on messaging platforms and demand accountability from their leaders.
Many believe the government’s attempt to silence the song has only strengthened its message.
As one Twitter user wrote, “You can ban the song on radio, but you can’t ban the truth in our hearts.”
With the controversy still unfolding, the rapper remains defiant and unmoved.
“I’m not afraid. I’ve prepared for this moment for a long time,” Abdulkareem said.