Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has strongly criticised the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) recent decision to ban Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest protest song, Tell Your Papa, calling it a “clear violation” of fundamental rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
In a press statement released on Thursday, April 10, the organisation described the ban as “unlawful, arbitrary, and deeply worrying,” and warned that it reflects an escalating pattern of censorship and intolerance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“The National Broadcasting Commission’s blatant ban of broadcasting Eedris Abdulkareem’s song Tell Your Papa is a clear violation of freedom of expression, which includes the right to obtain information,” Amnesty International said.
The song, which openly criticises the current government and draws attention to widespread social and economic challenges, was classified by NBC as “Not To Be Broadcast,” citing provisions in the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.
However, Amnesty International condemned the move as lacking any legal or moral justification.
“Categorising the song as ‘Not To Be Broadcast’ solely for being critical of the government and those in power is an abuse of authority and is unacceptable, It is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the right to access information and media freedom in Nigeria,” the group said.
Amnesty further urged President Tinubu to intervene, calling on him to “immediately direct the NBC to withdraw the bizarre ban which violates a range of human rights.”
The organisation also warned of the broader implications such a move could have on artistic freedom and the media landscape in Nigeria.
“The arbitrary and unlawful ban by the NBC would have a disproportionate and chilling effect on the work of radio and television stations in Nigeria, this clampdown on artistic freedom is an appalling reminder that artists are at risk of being silenced. Nothing can justify suffocating creativity,” the statement read.
The group also highlighted Nigeria’s obligations under international and regional human rights frameworks, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which protect free expression and artistic freedom.
“Citing the deeply flawed and problematic Nigerian Broadcasting Code to justify the ban shows a new level of intolerance towards dissenting voices,” Amnesty added.
In its concluding remarks, Amnesty reiterated the urgent need for reforms to NBC’s regulatory framework, which it claims has long been used to suppress dissent and stifle press freedom.
“The ban underscores the need to urgently repeal heavy censorship regulations of NBC that have been used to curb freedom of expression in the country,” the organisation stated.
Amnesty warned that failure to reverse the ban could set a dangerous precedent for further government censorship and repression.
“It is not too late for President Bola Tinubu’s government to withdraw the ban, which will have the sad repercussion of promoting censorship and generating a new wave of fear of repression,” the group concluded.
