Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, known as Portable, says he cannot openly condemn Nigeria’s insecurity because he fears arrest and persecution by the authorities.
The Zazu crooner made the statement while responding to British-Nigerian rapper Skepta, who had urged Nigerian celebrities to speak up about the country’s worsening economic hardship and insecurity. Portable said it is safer for Nigerians abroad to criticize the government since they cannot be arrested from outside the country.
Speaking in a video broadcast, he said Skepta’s call was well-meaning but risky for artists based in Nigeria. “They will arrest us if we speak up,” he said. “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.”
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Portable argued that celebrities in Nigeria risk trouble if they speak out, including possible passport seizure. He added that many artists are tired of the situation but choose to stay silent to avoid consequences.
“For those of us in Nigeria, if we speak, we will be in big trouble,” he said. “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.”
The singer concluded that speaking up would be safer from abroad and called on Nigerians in the diaspora to take the lead in demanding accountability.
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