Edo Gov’t Seals Event Centre Where Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem Criticised Tinubu

The Edo State Government has sealed an event centre in Benin City, Mega Hub, following a performance by Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, during which he criticised President Bola Tinubu.

The facility, which also operates as an eatery, hosted the event on April 3 tagged “Mega Rave: A Night with the Legends.” Abdulkareem, one of several artistes who performed at the event, paused mid-performance to address the audience, criticising the Tinubu administration.

A video clip from the event, now circulating on social media, captured the rapper mocking the president over his recent visit to Plateau State. He referenced the March 29 attack in Gari Yawaye, Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of the Plateau State, where about 30 people were reportedly killed.

Recall that Tinubu had visited the state on April 2, arriving at Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang, about 36 kilometres from the affected community, where he addressed political leaders, traditional rulers and selected victims before departing.

At the Edo event, Abdulkareem described Tinubu as “the worst president,” adding that Nigerians who supported him and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would “suffer for their wrong choice.” He also decried the country’s economic hardship, blaming the current administration.

Days after the event, officials of the Edo State Government sealed the Mega Hub facility. A video shared online showed the entrance barricaded with red tape, with an inscription reading: “Sealed by EDSG 7/4/26,” indicating the action was taken on by the state government apparently in response to the anti-Tinubu comment.

In the video, an unidentified man alleged that the closure was linked to the rapper’s comments, describing the development as “very disturbing.”

According to Premium Times, the Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, denied any connection between the sealing and Abdulkareem’s remarks.

“It was sealed because of a security issue. It has nothing to do with anybody criticising him (Tinubu),” he said, without providing further details.

Afegbua later confirmed that the facility had been reopened.

“It is already unsealed. They (owners) are back with their business,” he added.

When asked when the centre was unsealed, the commissioner declined further comment, saying, “Go there and confirm yourself,” before ending the phone call.