Eedris Abdulkareem Clarifies “Tell Your Papa” Was Not an Attack on Seyi Tinubu

Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem clarified that his controversial song “Tell Your Papa” was not a personal attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s son, but a response to his statement.

The rapper, Seyi, shared on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds program that the track was inspired by his father’s recent comments about him as Nigeria’s best-ever president.

Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has clarified that his controversial song Tell Your Papa was not aimed at Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, but was rather a direct response to a statement made by Seyi.

During an appearance on Rubbin’ Minds on Channels Television, Eedris explained that the track was inspired by Seyi Tinubu’s public comments in March 2025, where he described his father as “Nigeria’s best-ever president.” Eedris stated that he would not have written the song if Seyi had not made the statement.

“So, why should I attack Seyi Tinubu personally? Eedris questioned. If Seyi Tinubu never talked about it, I wouldn’t have recorded a song like that. So, I am replying to the video that he made. If he had kept quiet, I wouldn’t have said anything. I am inspired by Seyi Tinubu to record that song.”

The rapper went on to say that the song’s message is a call for President Tinubu to address critical issues facing Nigeria, including insecurity, lack of electricity, high unemployment, and the nation’s economic challenges.

“Nigerian youths are just asking for basics: electricity, security, enabling economic environment, job creation and not palliatives,” he added.

Seyi Tinubu’s remarks in Yola, Adamawa State, sparked widespread reactions on social media, leading to the release of Tell Your Papa, which has since stirred both support and backlash.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) banned the song from airwaves on April 10, 2025, citing violations of broadcasting codes. The ban drew criticism, including from Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who called it a “return of censorship” and warned that it posed a threat to free expression. Soyinka argued that the ban only helped spread the song further.

Despite the ban, Tell Your Papa has gained substantial attention on streaming platforms, with tens of thousands of views and streams recorded just days after its release.

Eedris Abdulkareem also expressed his frustration that his 2004 protest anthem Nigeria Jaga Jaga remains just as relevant today, highlighting the ongoing struggles in the country.