By Agboola Aluko | GLiDE NEWS, Lagos
Published: Thursday, 17 April 2025
A prominent faction of the Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group Afenifere, aligned with the ideals of late elder statesman Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has strongly criticized the Federal Government for banning the newly released protest song “Tell Your Papa” by veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem.
In a statement released on Wednesday and co-signed by the acting Chairman Oba Oladipo Olaitan and National Publicity Secretary Justice Faloye, the group described the ban as an “assault on free speech” and a “betrayal of democratic principles.”
“The autocratic ban signals a leadership style disconnected from the daily realities of Nigerians,” the statement reads. “Rather than embrace freedom and creativity, the government is leaning toward authoritarian control.”
According to Afenifere, the track—widely interpreted as a response to controversial remarks made by Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu—does not incite violence or hatred, but rather expresses the frustrations of ordinary Nigerians.
The group warned that suppressing dissent through music censorship only heightens tension and undermines Nigeria’s democratic space. They further cautioned that such action could stifle artistic freedom and slow societal progress.
Soaring Insecurity: A Wake-Up Call
Beyond the music ban, Afenifere also sounded the alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis. Citing data from HumAngle’s Conflict Tracker, the group revealed that 1,420 Nigerians were killed and 537 kidnapped in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
The group condemned recent attacks in Ondo, Benue, Edo, and Nasarawa states, where dozens of lives were lost and communities displaced due to unrelenting assaults by bandits and armed herders.
In Ondo State, four communities in Akure North LGA were attacked, leaving 20 dead and nine surveyors abducted. In Benue State, three security personnel were ambushed and killed by herders, sparking widespread protests and destruction of property.
Urgent Demands: Security Reform & Federal Restructuring
Afenifere urged President Tinubu to urgently overhaul the nation’s security architecture, calling for the immediate implementation of state policing as a complementary measure to federal security forces.
“Politics aside, best practices globally show that a centralized police structure is insufficient for a country as large and diverse as Nigeria,” the statement emphasized.
Additionally, the group renewed its long-standing demand for restructuring the Nigerian federation to reflect true federalism—one that fosters equity, justice, peace, and economic prosperity.
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