Veteran Nigerian musician and activist, Eedris Abdulkareem, has taken a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of making empty promises while Nigerians continue to suffer under worsening economic and security conditions.
In his newly released track titled “Tell Your Papa,” Abdulkareem directly addresses the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu, urging him to convey the harsh realities Nigerians are facing to his father. The song comes on the heels of Seyi Tinubu’s statement in March, where he described his father as the “greatest president in Nigeria’s history” during a youth gathering in Adamawa State remarks that sparked public outrage online.
In the song, Abdulkareem criticizes Seyi for being disconnected from the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, calling his remarks tone-deaf amid widespread poverty, inflation, and insecurity.
“Seyi, tell your papa say country hard. People dey die, and this one don pass jagajaga,” Abdulkareem raps in the song. He continues, “Too many empty promises. On behalf of suffering Nigerians, carry this message go give am — kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.”
The music icon also challenges Seyi Tinubu to experience life like everyday Nigerians by traveling across the country without the comfort of private jets or armed security.
“Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pain. You dey fly private jets — insecurity no be your problem,” he added.
Abdulkareem, known for his socially conscious music, is no stranger to using his platform to speak out against political leadership. His 2004 hit “Jaga Jaga” was a fierce critique of the Nigerian government at the time and remains a cultural reference point in conversations about bad governance.
With “Tell Your Papa,” the artist continues his legacy of protest music, echoing the frustrations of many Nigerians grappling with hardship and demanding more accountability from those in power.
