Wole Soyinka Condemns Ban on Eedris Abdulkareem's 'Tell Your Papa' as Censorship

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has publicly criticized the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation's (NBC) ban on Eedris Abdulkareem's song, "Tell Your Papa." The NBC prohibited the song from radio and television broadcast, citing its "objectionable nature." The song addresses Nigeria's socioeconomic issues and is directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's son, Seyi Tinubu. Soyinka condemned the ban as a return to censorship and a threat to free expression. He stated that such actions undermine the fundamental right of free expression and create an environment for the persecution of social critics. Soyinka ironically suggested that the government should not only ban the song but also proscribe the musician and his association. He emphasized that censorship often backfires, promoting the banned content and boosting its visibility. Soyinka noted that any government that only tolerates praise-singers is on a dangerous path, recalling previous crackdowns on dissenting voices. The NBC's ban has sparked outrage among Nigerians, who view it as an attack on freedom of expression. Abdulkareem himself has responded, accusing the government of insensitivity and comparing the ban to the 2004 ban of his song 'Jaga Jaga'.