Known for his 2004 hit “Jaga Jaga,” published under Olusegun Obasanjo’s term, Eedris Abdulkareem’s most recent song “Emi Lokan” aims at President Tinubu and Adeboye.
His recent claim to fame as Afrobeats’ pioneer put him in the spotlight. Despite his long history of controversy, Eedris Abdulkareem has made it his mission to utilize music as a vehicle for social change in Nigeria.
‘Emi Lo Kan,’ Eedris’ most recent single, aims at Tinubu’s administration, just as his 2004 hit “Jaga Jaga,” published under Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency of Nigeria. ‘Lords of Jaga Jaga,’ a remix he published in 2023—nineteen years after the original release of ‘Jaga Jaga’—featured a takedown of Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria.
The 50-year-old rapper’s new tune “Emi Lokan” aims at Enoch Adeboye, who serves as both president and general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). President Tinubu famously used the Yoruba word ‘Emi Lokan,’ meaning “It is my turn,” while addressing delegates in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, in the run-up to the APC presidential convention.
Using the lyric “Emilokan don turn Ebi Lokan,” Eddie Ris begins rapping to the president. When Tinubu uttered the comment “Emi Lokan” during one of his several presidential campaigns, it became a catchphrase for his whole administration. It is now my time, or Emilokan.
“The Yoruba are yelling ‘Ebi Pa Wa,’ the Hausa are yelling ‘Muna Jin Yunwa,’ and the Igbo are saying ‘E Nor Concern Us,'” he raps next. These efforts are aimed at addressing the nation’s hunger and misery, as well as the divisions that have sprung from it.
Meanwhile, he raps, “Don’t blame them, Igbos are being discriminated against,” drawing attention to an allegation about Igbo prejudice. He continues by saying that Igbos are indifferent about the nation’s continuous misery, and the first three words, “Don’t blame them,” are a response to his earlier claim that Igbos are discriminated against.
His rapping continues with the line, “Even food don turn to gold in Nigeria,” highlighting the high cost of food in the modern economy. And he rhymes “kidnapping, lucrative business in Nigeria” among other sins. “Imagine say na your grandchildren wey Dem kidnap, by now your soldiers for don scatter Nigeria,” he says, continuing to imagine the president’s emotional state in the event of their kidnapping.
All of this, he said, was in response to what he called “The sluggish unconcern of the presidency to food scarcity, insecurity and the lives of Nigerians in general.”.
Eedris Abdulkareem assails Pastor Adeboye
Eedris brings up Pastor Adeboye’s words against injustice under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in another lyric. “Pastor Adeboye, where is our dad?” he raps. You were quite vocal during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.
In addition, he brought up his plan to organise a demonstration against Mr. Jonathan’s administration: “You even vowed to stage a one-million-man march.””Hunger and hardship under Tinubu government; you say Nigeria get spiritual problems,” raps Eedris, who further accuses the pastor of being hypocritical during this times of adversity under Tinubu’s government.
Also, he begs the minister to lead his one million strong protest against President Tinubu’s administration, similar to how he led the movement against President Jonathan: “Baba, we need your one million disciples to protest against President Tinubu’s government,” he says. Finally, he asks rhetorically with a hint of sarcasm, “Daddy, abi legs don dey pain your disciples?”
Finally, take a listen and share your comment below!
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