A war of words has erupted between businessman and social media commentator Isaac Fayose and Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem following the release of the singer’s new track, Maintain, which appears to criticise an unnamed figure over his alleged political associations with President Bola Tinubu’s family.
The exchange has played out on social media, with both men trading personal jabs and accusations over political loyalty, hypocrisy and alleged attempts to influence public figures.
In the song, Abdulkareem takes aim at a person he accuses of criticising his political position while maintaining friendly relations with Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, and supporting the President’s political camp.
The rapper questions the unnamed individual’s alleged support for the Tinubu family and references his reported disappointment that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi had not visited him. He also suggests that Obi’s subsequent visit would put the individual in an uncomfortable political position.
Although the lyrics do not explicitly identify the person being criticised, Fayose responded with a video posted on Instagram, apparently interpreting the remarks as directed at him.
Fayose rejected the criticism and declared that he could not be bought, claiming that the government had offered him $1 million and a luxury Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon in an alleged attempt to secure his loyalty.
“I can’t be bought,” Fayose said in the video, dismissing Abdulkareem’s criticism and questioning the rapper’s decision to target him.
He also launched a personal attack on the musician, accusing him of poverty and using insulting language to ridicule his career and public standing.
Fayose further referred to Abdulkareem’s wife, who donated a kidney to the singer, in comments that intensified the personal nature of the dispute.
The exchange has brought political allegiances, celebrity influence and the role of entertainers and public commentators in Nigeria’s political debate into focus.
Abdulkareem is known for politically charged music and criticism of government, while Fayose frequently comments on political developments and public affairs through social media.
However, Fayose’s claim that the government offered him $1 million and a G-Wagon remains an allegation contained in his social media response. No supporting evidence or independent confirmation of the alleged offer was provided in the report, and the government’s response was not included.
Similarly, although Fayose appeared to identify himself with the target of the song, Abdulkareem’s lyrics, as reported, referred to an unnamed person.
The public exchange underscores how political disagreements in Nigeria increasingly spill into social media, where music, personal rivalries and competing claims about political loyalty can quickly become public controversies.
