Abuja, Nigeria – The authorities in Nigeria have prevented radio stations from touching a critical song of President of Tinubu Ball and the policies of his administration, according to a memorandum seen Friday by Associated Press.
The country’s media regulator described the content of “Tell Your Pope” in the memorandum to the radio stations as “inappropriate for transmission.”
The song is a response from the musician and critic of the Eedris Abdulkareem government to recent comments from Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, who described his father as the greatest leader in the country’s history.
On the Afrobeats track, Abdulkareem asks the young Tinubu to tell his father that his policies have brought generalized difficulties To the most populous country in Africa, while highlighting what he calls a series of “empty promises”.
Since he assumed office in 2023, Tinubu policies As the elimination of gasoline subsidies has affected a lot as Nigeria fights with fluctuating prices.
Last year, At least 20 people were shot dead and hundreds more were arrested for protests that demanded better opportunities and jobs for young people.
In Wednesday’s memorandum, the National Broadcasting Commission said the song violated section 3.1.8 of the country’s transmission code that prohibits the content that is in “breach of public decency.” Even so, the song has gone viral on social networks.
When addressing the prohibition at an Instagram post, Abdulkareem said that constructive criticisms are always considered a crime by the government.
“Have you ever not made shocking advances all these years?” said.
In 2004, another Abdulkareem songs, “Jaga Jaga” was prohibited. It was a critique of the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who described as corrupt.
The “strange prohibition” of the song is a violation of freedom of expression, said Amnesty International in a statement, describing action as an abuse of power.
“This presentation of artistic freedom is a terrible reminder that artists run the risk of being silenced,” said the rights group.
