The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has hailed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for placing an embargo on Falz’s “This Is Nigeria”.
The NBC did not state categorically that they have banned the song and others like it, but a fine slammed against a radio station in Jos last hinted at it.
A press statement widely attributed to MURIC said expressed support for the action which a lot of people have described as “senseless”.
The statement claimed Falz’s video was provocative and was targeted unfairly at the Fulani and Muslims.
“The video portrayed Fulanis and Muslims as killers. It also showed women in hijab engaging in the notorious ‘Shaku Shaku’ dance. Although reactions to similar provocative works of art had been violent in the past, MURIC as an elite Islamic group decided to adopt dialogue.”
“We asked Falz to withdraw the video or we would sue him. Instead of showing remorse he dared us. We knew he could delay the court case for years because he is a lawyer and he would use every trick in the books to frustrate us. That was why he was boasting.”
The group said it could not engage the artist in a legal battle, so it petitioned the NBC to take action against it instead.
“This week, the NBC banned the video and others like it. He should be the one to go to court now if he likes. Let him go and show how brilliant he is in court. He and his fans laughed at us when we complained about his provocative and vulgar video. But there is no doubt that he who laughs last laughs best”.