‘Are We Progressing or Regressing?’ – Utomi Slams Tinubu Over Ban on Eedris Abdulkarim’s Song
Pat Utomi, a political economist and public affairs commentator, has questioned Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, questioning if the nation is moving forward or regressing.
According to reports, Utomi criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration in a post via 𝕏 on Friday, April 11, 2025, for preventing the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from playing Eedris Abdulkarim’s recently released song, “Tell Your Papa.”
The newly released song calls on Seyi Tinubu’s kid to confront his father about the deteriorating socioeconomic circumstances in Nigeria.
However, NBC prohibited Nigerian radio and television stations from playing the popular song due to its offensive content, according to a document dated April 9, 2025, which was sent by Susan Obi, the Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring.
According to Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which forbids the airing of content judged offensive, improper, or in violation of public morality, the commission declared the song Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB).
In response to the news, Utomi compared the restriction to the military takeover that occurred in Rivers State following the issuance of a state of emergency.
According to Utomi, Abdulkarim also published a song that was similarly charged under the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but he merely received verbal criticism from soldiers.
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“I just learned that NBC has prohibited the airing of a song by Eedris Abdulkarim that is critical of the Villa incumbents,” he wrote.
The military takeover of Rivers and its censorship are both constitutional abuses.
When Eedris performed a song similar to Obj, the former soldier believed the tyrant only mistreated Eedris.
“Those who cheered when Fela made fun of Obj are now resorting to state terror with those whose remarks don’t have the same impact as Fela’s.
“Are we advancing or regressing?”
