Controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, aka Portable, has stated that he is unable to denounce the nation’s insecurity and that he fears being arrested if he speaks out against it.
In response to British-Nigerian rapper Skepta’s call for Nigerian celebrities to speak out against the nation’s growing economic hardship and insecurity, the Zazu crooner said this.
Because the Nigerian government “can’t arrest” Nigerians living overseas, Portable claimed that it is safer for Nigerians living abroad to denounce the insecurity.
Speaking in a video broadcast, he said, “Skepta, God bless you for remembering and speaking for Nigeria. However, you saying we, Nigerian celebrities, should speak up and demand justice, do you want the Nigerian government to pick us? They will arrest us if we speak up.
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“This government is oppressing us. Some of us are still being persecuted over our past remarks. We need help. We need support, not just prayers.
Nigerians in diaspora should speak up because Nigerian government can’t arrest them from abroad. Those of us in Nigeria, if we speak, we will be in big trouble. They might even seize our passports if we, celebrities say what we are not supposed to say.
“So, I’m only concerned about how I can make money and better my own life. It is not like celebrities don’t care about Nigeria, but if we speak, they will persecute us. A lot of us are even tired of what is happening in Nigeria. But we can’t speak up. If we were in abroad, it would be safer to speak up.”
In March 2026, despite several albums, Portable bemoaned his low streaming earnings.
The Zazu crooner bemoaned in a recent video that, despite having admirers overseas and releasing songs every month, his earnings from Apple Music were insufficient.
He asked Don Jazzy, a well-known music executive, for assistance in increasing his income from streaming services.
