Utomi Fires Back At Tinubu’s Administration: ‘Ban On Eedris Abdulkarim’s Song Shows We’re Retreating

In a post on on Friday, April 11, 2025, Utomi criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) decision to ban the airing of Eedris Abdulkarim’s newly released song, “Tell Your Papa.” The song targets President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, urging him to confront his father over the worsening socio-economic conditions in Nigeria.

The NBC issued a memo on April 9, 2025, signed by the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Susan Obi, ordering Nigerian radio and television stations to refrain from airing the song, citing its objectionable nature. The commission classified the track as “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which bans content considered inappropriate, offensive, or a violation of public decency.

Reacting to the ban, Utomi compared it to the military intervention in Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency. He recalled that during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Abdulkarim released a similar song and only faced verbal criticism from soldiers.

Utomi wrote, “Just heard NBC has banned the broadcast of Eedris Abdulkarim’s song critical of the Villa incumbents. This censorship is an abuse of the constitution, just like the military takeover of Rivers.

“When Eedris sang a similar song, Obasanjo, a former soldier and self-styled dictator, only verbally attacked him. Now, those who celebrated when Fela criticized Obasanjo are turning to state terror against those whose words don’t carry the same weight as Fela’s.”