Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has kicked against the recent ban placed on a song by rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, describing it as a dangerous return to censorship and a threat to freedom of expression.
In a statement released from New York University, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday, Soyinka likened the action to past efforts to suppress artistic and political commentary in Nigeria.
“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 said in the statement published by PM News.
Soyinka, who admitted he had not listened to the banned track, stressed that the matter was not about the content but about a democratic principle.
“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. 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 said.
In a sarcastic tone, the playwright said the ban did 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,” he stated.
Soyinka added that censorship often ends up benefiting the targeted artist.
“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 said.
He warned that such actions are not only counterproductive but also harmful to democratic growth.
“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 seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” he said.
The literary icon also lamented the culture of impunity and mob violence in Nigeria, referencing the recent lynching of 19 youths in Edo State.
“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,” he said.
Soyinka recalled the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, condemning the release of suspects who flaunted their photos on social media.
“Identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the Social Media… in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces,” he said.
He called on the relevant regulatory body to reverse what he described as “petulant irrationality,” warning that any government that silences critics and celebrates only praise-singers is already heading for a downfall.
