Falz Returns With New Protest Song ‘Ole’, Accuses Leaders Of Failure Amid Insecurity, Inflation

Award-winning rapper and activist, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has returned with a new politically charged single titled Ole, almost four years after releasing Yakubu, a song that criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission and its former Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu.

Ole, a Yoruba word meaning “thief,” takes aim at Nigeria’s political leadership over worsening socio-economic challenges, including insecurity, inflation, unemployment, kidnappings and the rising cost of living.

The 2:15-minute rap track, released amid growing public concern over economic hardship and violent crime, delivers one of Falz’s most direct political commentaries in recent years.

The song serves as the lead single from his forthcoming EP, Break Time, scheduled for release on June 26, 2026.

In the track, Falz references real-life tragedies, including the killing of a brigadier general and the abduction and murder of teachers, while questioning the government’s handling of security.

“Many still ain’t really free, many losing all the will, many soldiers in the field, many brothers dem dey kill,” he raps.

He also highlights the trauma of kidnappings and killings across the country, adding, “Many people wey dem kidnap, and dem turn them to deceased.”

Beyond insecurity, the rapper addresses economic hardship and the effect of inflation on ordinary Nigerians.

“How many we go take before we don fed up? Inflation rate is high, like my blood pressure,” he says.

Falz also criticises political leaders for allegedly exploiting poverty, hunger, tribal divisions and voter inducement for political gain.

“Don’t think that you can whip up tribal sentiments for life. Keep keeping people poor and hope that you can weaponise. Hope that you can bank on all the hungry votes that you can buy,” he raps.

In another verse, he reminds political leaders that security and welfare are central responsibilities of government.

“Security welfare na the primary job you take,” he says, echoing the constitutional duty of government to protect lives and property.

He further condemns attacks on security personnel and the seeming lack of accountability in some violent incidents.

“For under your nose dem kill a whole brigadier general,” he raps. “Who dem catch for the crime? Arrest count still on zero.”

The release of Ole has sparked mixed reactions on social media.

While some fans praised Falz for using his platform to speak against insecurity, bad governance and economic hardship, others criticised him for focusing heavily on political commentary instead of mainstream music.

A pro-APC commentator, Christians Folashade, also known as Sistaliano, argued that Falz appears to rely on political themes to remain relevant in the music industry, unlike other artistes who maintain dominance through regular mainstream releases.

Another commentator, Balogun Onome, said Nigerians had heard many songs about bad government but had failed to take practical steps to change the situation.

“We have heard too many songs about bad government, but we don’t take steps to change them,” Onome said.

Falz has over the years built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken artistes on governance, accountability and social justice, using songs such as This Is Nigeria, Yakubu and now Ole to comment on national issues.