Veteran Nigerian rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem has alleged that he was offered a staggering ₦200 million to stop his criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a recent interview, Abdulkareem claimed that the offer was made by a sitting Nigerian senator who attempted to persuade him to stop using his music and platform to highlight the country’s socio-economic challenges.
According to the artist, the offer included not just financial compensation, but also promises of covert sponsorship and support.
“I knew immediately it was a setup, I told him I didn’t need anything and I wasn’t interested. They even promised to sponsor me underground, but I wasn’t having it.” Abdulkareem stated.
Abdulkareem, who has a history of using his music as a tool for social activism, has been particularly outspoken in his recent criticism of the Tinubu-led government.
His latest song, Tell Your Papa, directly addresses the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians and calls for accountability.
The song was recently banned from airplay by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on the grounds that it violated broadcasting codes.
Despite the ban, Tell Your Papa has gained significant traction on social media, echoing the reception of his 2004 hit Jaga Jaga, which also faced censorship due to its critique of government corruption and mismanagement.
“You cannot silence the voice of the people. I will keep speaking my truth, no matter the cost,” he said.
