Falz Responds to MURIC’s Request to Take Down his ‘This is Nigeria’ Video

Falz says he has no plans to take down the video.

Barely over a week since singer, Folarin Falana, known as Falz released his song, ‘This is Nigeria’, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued him a seven-day ultimatum to take down the video.

This is amidst the mixed reactions that have been trailing the video, since its release.

In a statement issued by the Islamic body, through its director, Ishaq Akintola, the video manifests ethnic bias against Fulanis. This is among other displeasure, which they registered in their statement.

They wrote;

MURIC rejects Falz’ explanation that the girls in hijab in his ‘Shaku Shaku’ dance symbolize the Chibok girls because nothing in the video indicates that the girls represent the Chibok girls.

At least none of the Chibok girls have been seen dancing like a drunkard. They are always in pensive mood. Do they have any cause to be dancing? Are they happy?

The video manifests ethnic bias against Fulanis while it ignored the criminal activities of ethnic militia of the Middle Belt who have also massacred Fulanis and rustled their cattle in their thousands.

It is a hate video. This video has the potential of causing religious crisis of unprecedented dimension.

It is an assault on the self-dignity of every Muslim. It is freedom of expression gone haywire.

We therefore demand its withdrawal and an apology to Nigerian Muslims within seven days or the authors and their agents will face legal action if they fail to comply.

Only the scenes portraying police brutality and the money-swallowing snake in the video are near the truth.

We call the attention of security agencies to this hate action.

We remind Nigerians of the outcome of similar provocative actions in the past and their unpalatable outcomes.

The National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB), a regulatory agency set up by Act No. 85 of 1993 to regulate films and the video industry has a case to answer. ‘Shaku Shaku’ video was shot and released under its watch.

Instead of going violent, Nigerian Muslims should take those behind the ‘Shaku Shaku’ video to court in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

We, therefore, give notice of impending legal action against the artist behind the ‘Shaku Shaku’ video unless the latter is withdrawn and an apology is widely published within seven days”.

Falz’s reaction;

Pulse.ng however, reports that the singer’s manager has confirmed that they are aware of the group’s statement.

He therefore, notes that they do not intend to take down the video.

Yes, I have seen the statement online, but we have no official response yet, the video is out there and we have no plans to take it down, we will only respond when we get an official letter directly sent to us”, he says.