The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Federal Government of Nigeria and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) a 48-hour ultimatum to reverse the ban on Eedris Abdulkareem�s protest song, �Tell Your Papa.� SERAP has deemed the ban unlawful and a violation of the artist�s freedom of expression. �
In a statement released on its ? (formerly Twitter) platform on Thursday, SERAP condemned the NBC�s decision, threatening legal action if the ban is not lifted within the stipulated time. �The Tinubu administration must immediately reverse the unlawful ban imposed by the National Broadcasting Commission, which has stopped Nigerian radio and TV stations from airing Eedris Abdulkareem�s new single. If the ban is not reversed within 48 hours, we�ll see the government in court,� SERAP stated.
The NBC�s directive, issued through a memo signed by Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, classified the song as �Not To Be Broadcast� (NTBB). The commission cited Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which prohibits content 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.�
Eedris Abdulkareem, known for his socially conscious music and outspoken criticism of governance, released �Tell Your Papa� as a commentary on the current administration, addressing economic hardship and perceived governance failures.
SERAP, a prominent advocacy group focused on human rights and transparency, has taken a firm stance against what it views as an attack on freedom of speech and artistic expression. The group’s ultimatum sets the stage for a potential legal battle, highlighting the ongoing tension between artistic freedom and government regulation in Nigeria.
