Renowned Nigerian singer Daddy Showkey recently found himself in the spotlight after publicly criticizing the Niger State governor’s controversial decision to crack down on individuals sporting dreadlocks in Minna. The veteran artist, famous for his iconic knee-length dreadlocks, took to Instagram on April 24, 2025, sharing a defiant photo of himself and expressing his plans to visit Umar Bago’s state.
In a bold caption accompanying his post, Daddy Showkey didn’t mince words as he lashed out at the governor’s directive. He threw a humorous yet pointed jab by suggesting that before worrying about people with dreadlocks, the governor should first consider trimming his own beard. It was a statement that resonated strongly with his fans and followers.
“Mohamed Umar DADA BE Your PROBLEM I dey to come Minna but now you have ask your security agents to cut off dreadlocks so hold your State, but make you cut your Beer Bee.”
The online sphere buzzed with reactions following Daddy Showkey’s post, with many echoing sentiments of disbelief and frustration over the governor’s fixation on hairstyles rather than more pressing issues like unemployment and poverty within the state.
“I’m even shocked that in 2025, a governor is more concerned about a hairstyle than the unemployed hungry people in the state. If anybody needs to be arrested, it’s the governor of that state. He is clueless and has no business being a leader. Big disappointment.”
“I couldn’t help but think of you when I saw that guy reading out his ban on dreadlocks — seriously?! So if an artist visits his state with dreads, they risk being arrested and shaved? Talk about misplaced priorities! What does hair have to do with insecurity?… This is laughable”
The controversy stemmed from Governor Bago’s remarks made during a recent security meeting where he instructed authorities to target individuals with dreadlocks living in Minna and impose penalties. The move sparked outrage online as critics accused him of misdirected governance.
However, after facing significant backlash across social media platforms, Governor Bago attempted to clarify that the crackdown specifically targeted those involved in cult-related activities rather than innocent citizens. Despite this clarification attempt, public dissent continued unabated.
As tensions simmered between artistic expression and governmental regulations in Niger State, Daddy Showkey’s vocal stance added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding personal freedoms versus official mandates. His fearless advocacy for individuality struck a chord with many who saw this issue as emblematic of larger societal struggles for autonomy.
Through this incident, one cannot help but reflect on how public figures like Daddy Showkey serve not just as entertainers but also as voices for social commentary and change. In challenging authority through artistry and self-expression, they embody resilience against attempts to stifle diversity.
In times where individual rights clash against bureaucratic decisions rooted in questionable motives or priorities, it is artists like Daddy Showkey who remind us of the power inherent in standing up for what we believe in—even if it means questioning those in positions of influence.
