The controversy flared up after Abdulkareem released a track titled ‘Tell Your Papa’. The song, reportedly directed towards the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, voices criticism of the challenging socioeconomic climate in Nigeria. Abdulkareem is well-known for his politically charged music, most famously his 2004 hit 'Jaga Jaga,' which was highly critical of the then-President Olusegun Obasanjo's government.
Last Wednesday, the NBC issued a memo prohibiting the new song from being aired on radio and television stations nationwide, labelling it as "objectionable." This move swiftly ignited public outcry among Nigerians concerned about freedom of expression.
Reacting to this development, Professor Soyinka issued a statement titled ‘Surely, Not Again’. Employing biting sarcasm, he suggested the government's censorship efforts were insufficient. "My position is that such a progressive move by the government and its agencies does not go far enough," Soyinka wrote ironically. "It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is a member, should also go under the hammer."
Soyinka extended his satirical critique to include cartoonist Ebun Aleshinloye, who had created a widely shared cartoon criticising the ban. "Nor should we ignore the cartoonist, Ebun Aleshinloye," Soyinka continued, "Let’s simply go the whole hog!" He noted he learned of the ban partly through Aleshinloye's cartoon, which the artist had shared with him.
Despite admitting he hadn't personally listened to Abdulkareem's song yet, Soyinka firmly argued that the principle of free expression is paramount and non-negotiable in a democracy. He described the government's action as a misguided attempt "to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary."
Furthermore, the Nobel laureate pointed out the counterproductive nature of the ban, suggesting it ultimately serves as free publicity for the artist. "The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion," he remarked. "Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him."
Drawing parallels with past experiences, Soyinka warned that Nigeria has witnessed similar phases of government attempting to silence critics, calling such actions "boring, time-wasting, diversionary" and fundamentally "subversive" of free speech. He cautioned that such censorship creates a "permissive atmosphere" where abuses of power can escalate, citing instances where state governors have pursued, kidnapped, and imprisoned social critics using prolonged legal processes, alongside oppression by theocratic authorities.
"Any government that is tolerant only of yes-men and women, which accommodate only praise-singers and dancers to the official beat, has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss," Soyinka asserted. He concluded with a direct call for accountability: "Whatever regulating body is responsible for this petulant irrationality should be compelled to reverse its misstep.”