A faction of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has criticised the Federal Government for banning Eedris Abdulkareem’s new song, Tell Your Papa, saying the move is an attack on freedom of speech and democracy.
The group, loyal to the leadership of the late Chief Ayo Adebanjo, made this known in a statement on Wednesday. The statement was signed by the acting chairman, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and the national publicity secretary, Justice Faloye.
They described the ban as “autocratic” and claimed it showed that the Tinubu-led government was not open to criticism.
According to Afenifere, “The autocratic ban signals a leadership tendency that is disconnected from citizens’ realities, essentially inclined to maintaining autocratic control rather than fostering a milieu of freedom and creativity.”
The group said the song was not offensive, but simply a reaction to recent comments made by President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, about the situation in the country.
They warned that silencing musicians and artists would only harm the country’s growth.
“The ban destroys the principles of democracy,” Afenifere said. “It is evidence of the increasing disregard for dissenting voices in Nigeria, potentially silencing artists and stifling creativity and the progress we need to move forward as a society.”
The group also expressed deep concern about the state of insecurity in Nigeria. Quoting HumAngle’s Conflict Tracker, they said 1,420 people had died and 537 were kidnapped in the first three months of 2025.
Afenifere pointed to recent deadly attacks in Ondo, Benue, Edo and Nasarawa states, especially those carried out by bandits and herdsmen.
“In Ondo State, bandits attacked four communities in Akure North, killing 20 people and abducting nine surveyors,” the group said. “In Benue, three security personnel were ambushed and killed by herders, which led to protests and destruction of property.”
They called on the government to ban open grazing and introduce ranching as a lasting solution to the clashes between farmers and herders.
The group also repeated its call for the creation of state police to help strengthen Nigeria’s security system.
“Politics aside, all management principles and best practices inform us that a single police hierarchy is not sufficient to provide the security required by a nation of our size and diversity,” the statement added.
Afenifere further urged President Tinubu to restructure the country and support true federalism to ensure peace, justice, fairness, and long-term development.
