The Edo State Government has sealed an event centre following a controversial performance by Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem, where he criticised the administration of Bola Tinubu.
The facility, known as Mega Hub, which also operates as an eatery, hosted an event on April 3 tagged “Mega Rave: A Night with the Legends,” where Abdulkareem was one of the performing artistes.
During his performance, the rapper paused to criticise Tinubu’s leadership, accusing the President of failing to adequately respond to the killing of about 30 people in Plateau State.
A viral video clip from the event showed Abdulkareem mocking Tinubu over his visit to Plateau, noting that the President did not go to the affected community despite arriving with heavy security presence.
Tinubu had visited the state on April 2, landing at Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang—about 36 kilometres from the attack site—where he addressed political leaders, traditional rulers, and selected victims before departing.
At the Edo event, Abdulkareem described Tinubu as the worst president Nigeria has ever had and warned that supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would face consequences for their choices.
He also touched on the country’s economic hardship, attributing the situation to the current administration.
According to reports, the event centre was sealed on April 7, just days after the party. A video circulating on social media showed the entrance barricaded with red tape, with an inscription reading “Sealed by EDSG 7/4/26.”
There were initial claims that the shutdown was linked to Abdulkareem’s remarks, sparking public concern over possible suppression of free speech.
A Nigerian author, King Joel Agho, described the action as disturbing.
He said: “The government did this without communicating with the owner of the place. This a government that does not want anyone to complain about the reality on the ground. This wouldn’t have happened if the event was held in Lagos, the home of President Tinubu; but he’s acting this way in Edo”.
However, the Edo State Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, denied the allegation, stating that the action was based strictly on security concerns and not related to political criticism.
Afegbua later confirmed that the facility had been reopened, allowing business activities to resume, though he did not provide further details about the security issue that led to the temporary closure.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, a member of the APC, has continued to express strong support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
