Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has stated that he cannot openly condemn the insecurity in Nigeria because he fears the authorities might arrest him.
The Zazu crooner disclosed this stance while reacting to British-Nigerian rapper Skepta’s public appeal to Nigerian celebrities, urging them to speak up against worsening economic hardship and escalating insecurity.
Portable argued that it is significantly safer for Nigerians living in the diaspora to speak up because the local authorities are powerless to touch them from abroad.
The singer thanked the UK-based rapper for his advocacy before quickly highlighting the very real dangers faced by high-profile figures who remain inside the country.
Addressing the rapper directly, 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.”
Portable then painted a grim picture of the current political climate, alleging that the state actively cracks down on high-profile figures who step out of line.
He further explained, “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.”
Concluding his message, Portable confessed that fear has forced him to look inward and focus entirely on personal survival rather than fighting for broader social justice.
He stated, “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.”
