In a scathing public rebuke that has reverberated across Nigeria’s political landscape, prominent rapper and social activist Folarin Falana, known professionally as Falz, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step down from office, citing the administration’s failure to address the nation’s spiraling security crisis.
The “Bahd Guy” crooner, who has built a reputation for fearless political commentary through his music and activism, turned the president’s own words against him in a pointed social media post on Wednesday. Falz resurrected a November 6, 2014 tweet in which then-opposition figure Tinubu demanded the resignation of President Goodluck Jonathan over the government’s handling of Boko Haram terrorism.
“You have consistently shown your unwillingness to protect the lives and property of our people despite pretending to care in the past. Resign now!” Falz wrote, drawing a direct parallel between Tinubu’s past rhetoric and his current performance in office.
The callout underscores growing frustration among Nigerians over persistent insecurity that has plagued Africa’s most populous nation. From bandits terrorizing rural communities in the northwest to separatist agitations in the southeast and ongoing jihadist insurgency in the northeast, the Tinubu administration has struggled to deliver on campaign promises of improved security.
The domestic criticism comes as Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly violence against Christians, draw increasing international scrutiny. In a striking development at a United Nations event on Tuesday, American rapper Nicki Minaj joined US Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz in highlighting the persecution of Nigerian Christians by jihadist groups.
The Grammy-nominated artist, using her global platform, called for “urgent action” against religious persecution while advocating for “peace, unity and freedom of worship.” She also commended US President Donald Trump for speaking out on behalf of Nigerian Christians, marking a rare intersection of entertainment celebrity and diplomatic advocacy.
The intervention by Minaj signals growing international concern over what human rights organizations have documented as systematic attacks on Christian communities, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northeastern regions, where jihadist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue operations.
Falz’s critique taps into broader disillusionment with Nigeria’s political class. The irony of Tinubu facing the same demand he once leveled at his predecessor has not been lost on Nigerians who have watched security conditions deteriorate despite successive administrations’ promises.
Under President Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, kidnappings for ransom have continued unabated, with bandits regularly abducting schoolchildren, travelers, and rural farming communities. The economic toll has been severe, with farmers unable to access their land and businesses crippled by insecurity.
The rapper’s accusation that Tinubu showed willingness to care about security “in the past” but has proven “unwilling to protect lives and property” now that he holds power resonates with citizens who remember the president’s vocal criticism of his predecessors while in opposition.
Falz joins a growing chorus of activists, religious leaders, and civil society organizations expressing frustration with the administration’s handling of security matters. Church leaders have been particularly vocal about attacks on Christian communities, while traditional rulers in affected regions have repeatedly called for more decisive action.
The convergence of domestic activism and international attention creates mounting pressure on the Tinubu administration to demonstrate concrete results in combating insecurity. As Nigeria approaches future election cycles and grapples with economic challenges alongside security concerns, the president faces a critical test of his leadership.
Whether this latest public challenge from one of Nigeria’s most influential young voices will translate into policy changes or merely add to the noise of political discourse remains to be seen. What is certain is that Nigerians from all walks of life—from award-winning artists to ordinary citizens—are demanding accountability from those they elected to protect them.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Nigerian rapper Falz has publicly demanded President Tinubu’s resignation over worsening insecurity, using the president’s own 2014 words against former President Jonathan to expose the hypocrisy—Tinubu once called for resignation over terrorism but now faces the same crisis he criticized.
Nigeria’s security situation has deteriorated under Tinubu’s watch, with widespread kidnappings, banditry, and jihadist attacks continuing unabated.
Meanwhile, international figures including rapper Nicki Minaj and US officials are now spotlighting the persecution of Nigerian Christians at the UN, signaling that Nigeria’s security failures have become a global concern.
