Nigerian artiste Falz has incurred the wrath of an Islamic group in Nigeria over the use of certain scenes in his latest video, ‘This Is Nigeria.’
The group, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has given Falz seven days to withdraw the video, apologise to Nigerians, or face legal action.
They said this in a statement signed by their director, Ishaq Akintola.
In the recently released video, some girls dressed in hijab are seen doing the ‘shaku shaku’ dance.
Responding to criticisms that trailed the video, Falz explained that the girls were a representation of the abducted Chibok girls still in Boko Haram captivity.
But MURIC said the dancers in the video in no way depict the situation of the girls.
The group also condemned “a character that dressed like a Fulani man, who suddenly abandoned his traditional guitar and beheaded a man” featured in the video.
Read the full statement below:
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 the 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 the 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 unfazed by threats
When PREMIUM TIMES reached out to Femi Soro, a member of Falz’s management team on Tuesday, for his reaction to the threat, he said they were unfazed by their threats.
“We have nothing to say. We are not withdrawing the video neither are we commenting on their claims. If they have any grievance they can head to court and we will meet them,” he said.
‘This Is Nigeria’ is a cover version of Childish Gambino’s ‘This Is America.’ It highlights some of the painful ills of the Nigerian society.
Since the two songs went viral some Ghanaian music enthusiast have called on M.anifest and the FOKN Bois to do a Ghanaian version but they have declined to the request.