Veteran Nigerian singer Daddy Showkey has reacted to the Niger State governor’s order for security operatives to arrest people with dreadlocks in Minna.
The singer, known for his knee-length dreadlocks, posted a picture of himself on Instagram on April 24, 2025, stating his intentions to visit Umar Bago’s state.
In his caption, he criticized the governor’s directive, asking him to cut his beard before worrying about people with dreadlocks.
Daddy Showkey’s post garnered reactions from his followers, with many slamming the governor’s concern over the hairstyles.
This comes after Bago’s statement made during a stakeholders’ security meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2025, where he instructed officials to cut off the dreadlocks of people living in Minna and impose fines.
Bago faced immense backlash on social media after the directive was made, with many accusing him of misplaced priorities; however, on Wednesday, he clarified that his directive targeted only those involved in cult-related activities. The clarification did little to soothe the online backlash.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The dreadlocks controversy in Niger State is more than a fleeting news story; it reflects deeper tensions in Nigeria’s governance and society. Governor Bago’s directive, though quickly reversed, exposed the dangers of reactive and poorly thought-out policies, particularly when they infringe on personal freedoms
Daddy Showkey’s response, amplified by social media, played a crucial role in challenging the order and sparking a broader conversation about cultural expression and state overreach.
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