Rapper and activist Folarin Falana, known as Falz, has sharply criticized First Lady Oluremi Tinubu after she stated that the burden on the government was too heavy. In an interview with Arise News, Falz described the remarks as absurd and held the administration accountable to its own campaign promises.
First Lady's Remarks Spark Controversy
The First Lady made the comments on Saturday, July 11, during the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State. She urged Afrobeats stars including Burna Boy, Davido, and Asake to establish charitable foundations for poor Nigerians, saying, "The burden on the government is huge. You can still help."
Falz Responds with Sharp Critique
Reacting in the interview, Falz did not hold back. "What do you mean, pressure on the government? Did anyone beg you to take up this work?" he said. He directly invoked the administration's 2023 campaign slogan, pointing out the contradiction. "If I remember clearly, the campaign slogan for this current administration was 'Emi lokan.' Do you know what that translates to in English? It is my turn. I've never seen anything more absurd than that in my entire life," he stated.
He continued, "That means from day one that you set out on your political journey, this is the day you have been waiting for. So how can you come out and say the pressure is on you? Are you okay?"
Questioning Government Spending
Falz also questioned the government's spending decisions, arguing that money spent on vehicles, jets, and acquisitions told a different story about the administration's priorities. "Is that the solution to our problems, more foundations? If we look at what has been spent on acquiring new vehicles, acquiring jets, acquiring all these things, and look at what has actually gone wrong with insecurity and what we're facing, what are your priorities?" he asked.
He added that calling on individuals to step in was not generosity on the government's part but an abdication of responsibility. "You're out here talking to individuals. This is actually your job to do. It's wild," he said.
Public Reaction
The First Lady's comments had already drawn widespread criticism online before Falz weighed in, with many Nigerians arguing that asking entertainers to fund social welfare amounted to the government outsourcing its core obligations. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the administration and citizens over governance and accountability.
