Soyinka Demands Reversal Of Ban On Eedris Abdulkareem’s Song -

Soyinka Demands Reversal of Ban on Eedris Abdulkareem’s Song

Soyinka calls the ban a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to immediately reverse the recent ban on Nigerian rapper and activist, Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest song, ‘Tell Your Papa’.

In a statement issued from New York University, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday, April 13, Soyinka warned that such acts of censorship were not only unconstitutional but it is a dangerous return to a dark era of artistic restrain and socio-political expression in Nigeria.

The NBC, in a memo released Wednesday, April 9, declared Abdulkareem’s song unfit for broadcast on radio and television, describing it as “objectionable.” The song, which boldly criticizes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and specifically references his son, Seyi Tinubu, laments the current economic hardship and deepening poverty under the administration.

Soyinka, renowned globally for his commitment to human rights and democratic values expressed his view on the ban.

“Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem,” he stated.

“My position is that such a progressive move by the government and its agencies does not go far enough. It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is member, should also go under the hammer. Nor should we ignore the cartoonist, Ebun Aleshinloye, who not only etched out his trenchant response to the ban but disseminated it all the way to Abu Dhabi. Let’s simply go the whole hog!” he added.

Although Soyinka admitted he had yet to listen to the song in question, he emphasised that the core issue exceeds the lyrics. It is, for him, a matter of principle which is the principle of democracy and the right to speak truth to power.

He noted that the principle is inflexibly etched on any democratic template and it cannot be flouted.

“This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye’ cartoon – and others in allied vein – as an easy to apprehend, easy to digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he added.

Soyinka further stated that, “The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him.”

He warned that history has shown where such actions lead. “We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizure of the fundamental right of free expression.”

Soyinka expressed grave concern that such censorship fosters a dangerous situation where power leads to abuse, recalling instances where critics have been harrassed, kidnapped, or imprisoned simply for speaking their minds.

“It also creates a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power where governors have been known to pursue social critics across state borders, kidnap and imprison them for long spells, using the judicial machinery of never-ending trials,” he lamented.

Soyinka also noted that the erosion of free speech is due to the unchecked rise of violence in the country. He referenced the recent mob killings in Edo State, where at least 19 people were brutally lynched, and recalled the 2022 murder of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto.

“It is a sadly opportune moment, but also an enraged one, to join in conveying my commiseration to the families of the latest victims of the lynch mob mentality that is fast overtaking the nation. Edo today, which state next? Nineteen youths in one fell swoop?”

“Let this latest dent in the national armour not pass as the yet soul searing orgy that ended the life of the young student, Deborah Samuel. Recall that identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the social media as having lit the consuming pyre – this in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces.”

Soyinka stressed that such acts are not just isolated tragedies, but a reflection of a nation sliding into chaos and lawlessness. “The horror is not in numbers but in the act itself,” he stated.

“As long as the culture of impunity is given the sheerest strain of legitimacy in any given cause, such gruesome assaults on our common humanity will continue to prevail, and a reversion to brutish existence become a nation’s stamp of identity,” he warned.

“The culprits are in plain sight and so are witnesses. There can be no excuses. My heart goes out to friends, colleagues and families of victims and traumatised survivors of this senseless slaughter. Our thirst for justice must remain unslaked.”

Soyinka implored the government to reverse what he described as a “petulant irrationality,” warning that any administration that only tolerates sycophants and praise-singers is inevitably headed for ruin.

“Any government that is tolerant only of yes-men and women, which accommodate only praise-singers and dancers to the official beat, has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss,” he concluded.