Veteran Nigerian rapper and activist Eedris Abdulkareem has claimed he was offered a N200 million bribe to continue criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government through his music and activism.
In a video shared on his social media, the artist alleged that someone who introduced himself as a senator contacted him, offering financial backing in appreciation of his protest song, Tell Your Papa, which has been gaining popularity online.
Eedris narrated, “A criminal who called himself an ‘Honourable’ reached out to me. I couldn’t even catch his name clearly, but he later said he was a senator.”
He continued, “He told me he had met with Seyi Tinubu and other top officials. Then he said, ‘They’ll try to bribe you, but ignore them—we’re ready to fund you behind the scenes.’ I made it clear I wasn’t interested.”
The rapper said he turned down the N200 million offer and cautioned those behind it to stay away from him.
“You want to turn me into a puppet? You must be crazy. I’ve been prepared for people like you,” he said in the video.
The protest track Tell Your Papa, which takes aim at the current administration, was recently banned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on April 10.
The ban has sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups and creative industry bodies.
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) denounced the NBC’s decision, warning that the move could backfire and increase the song’s visibility amid ongoing economic struggles.
Likewise, the Media Rights Agenda called the ban an abuse of authority.
Ayomide Eweje, a Programme Officer at the organization, said, “NBC has lost sight of its purpose. It’s behaving more like a government mouthpiece than an impartial media regulator.”