Veteran Nigerian rapper and social crusader, Eedris Abdulkareem, has fired a blistering salvo at northern Nigerian leaders, accusing them of aiding the country’s descent into chaos through complicity, selfishness, and manipulation.
In a no-holds-barred appearance on News Central’s Breakfast Central, Eedris condemned what he termed the “wickedness” of the region’s political and religious elite. Speaking on the topic “Engaging the Government through Music”, the outspoken rapper said:
“80% of the leaders in the north and 80% of the religious leaders are so wicked. They think about their pockets alone.”
He expressed outrage that Boko Haram has taken over “about 57 local governments in different states in the north,” and pointed fingers at some high-profile politicians as complicit actors.
“When the Boko Haram situation started, Ali Modu Sherrif was named to be part of those who brought these people. Even El-Rufai, during Goodluck Jonathan’s time, was also named to be part of those who made all these people come into Nigeria.”
In his view, what began as political manipulation has now spiralled into an uncontrollable security disaster.
“They brought them in. Goodluck Jonathan allowed them to take the power. Now the terrorists decided to stay in Nigeria. They’re all over our forest.”
Eedris lamented that only about “20% care so much about the people”, while the rest operate with indifference to the sufferings of the masses.
The “Jaga Jaga” crooner also addressed critics who question his silence during the Buhari administration, accusing them of playing tribal politics.
“I keep hearing people saying ‘why didn’t I hear a song during Buhari government?’… For goodness sake, kindly go online and type ‘Lord of Jagajaga’. The Lord of Jagajaga is President Muhammadu Buhari.”
He added:
“If you are playing tribal card, please go and sit back, relax somewhere. You don’t know exactly what you are saying. You must be one of those slaves who’s just happy because of the crumbs that you’re getting. People are dying for goodness sake.”
Eedris also reserved harsh words for religious manipulation in the north, urging young people not to blindly obey spiritual leaders who twist religion for personal gain:
“The kings will come out and tell them that the God have asked me to tell you all to do this and do that. No, follow your instinct, follow your mind…”
He criticised the double standards of elite families who discourage public education while sending their children abroad:
“These individuals are telling you that education is haram… But they are sending their own children to the best universities in America, in the UK, and all over the world.”
The musician called on northern youth to wake up:
“Start thinking how to take care of your own children, let them go to school… instead of going to do that and collecting mudus of rice all the time.”
Eedris Abdulkareem’s message rings with raw urgency. His words, laced with pain and purpose, are a rallying cry for a generation to shake off complacency and confront the structures that continue to breed poverty, ignorance, and violence.
