Veteran Nigerian rapper and outspoken social critic, Eedris Abdulkareem, has once again made headlines after boldly declaring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the “worst president ever” in the history of Nigeria. The rapper, known for using his music as a platform for activism and political commentary, made this strong statement during a recent interview with News Central TV.
This controversial declaration came while reacting to the Federal Government’s decision through the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ban his recently released protest song titled “Tell Your Papa”. The track, which criticizes the country’s rising hardship, worsening insecurity, unemployment, and perceived government insensitivity, was pulled off-air, sparking widespread debates on the state of free speech and censorship in Nigeria.
During the interview, Abdulkareem condemned the clampdown on his artistic expression, citing both local and international laws that protect freedom of speech. He referenced the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, particularly Section 39, which guarantees every citizen’s right to freedom of expression, and also invoked Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), reaffirming his constitutional and global entitlement to voice his opinions, especially on national issues.
The artist didn’t stop there. He further responded to recent remarks made by Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Tinubu, who publicly declared his father as “the greatest president Nigeria has ever had.” In a fiery rebuttal, Abdulkareem addressed Seyi directly during the interview, saying:
“Seyi, I beg to differ. Your father may be the best dad to you personally, but to millions of Nigerians suffering in this country, he is the worst president ever. I would advise you to keep silent because you sound better quiet than speaking nonsense. Next time, hand over the mic to the MC because Nigerians are going through hell right now.”
Abdulkareem made it clear that his criticisms were not personal but based on the grim realities facing ordinary citizens under the Tinubu-led administration. He lamented the worsening state of hunger, unemployment, inflation, poverty, and widespread insecurity plaguing Nigeria today.
Now aged 51, Eedris Abdulkareem has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most vocal musical activists. His legendary 2004 hit “Jaga Jaga” became an anthem of protest against government failure and social decay. His latest banned track, “Tell Your Papa”, carries forward that tradition, holding the nation’s leaders accountable for the suffering of the masses.
Despite the ban by NBC, the song has continued to circulate widely on social media platforms, where many Nigerians have praised Abdulkareem’s courage for speaking truth to power. The public has hailed him as a voice for the voiceless, with many expressing support for his defiance against censorship and political oppression.
Watch the full video from the interview and Abdulkareem’s remarks below …
“Tinubu is the best father to Seyi Tinubu, but he is the worst president ever in Nigeria.” @EedrisOriginal did not hold back as he described President Tinubu as a failed leader who has let down the nation despite his personal relationship with his family. pic.twitter.com/RqJIMsu2Tf
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) April 16, 2025