Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has said many entertainers are reluctant to publicly condemn insecurity and hardship in the country because they fear possible repercussions from the authorities.
The singer made the remarks while responding to comments by British-Nigerian rapper Skepta, who recently called on Nigerian celebrities to use their platforms to speak against the country’s worsening economic conditions and growing security challenges.
Portable acknowledged Skepta’s concerns but argued that celebrities living in Nigeria face a different reality from those residing abroad.
According to him, public figures within the country often avoid speaking on sensitive national issues because of fears that their comments could attract unwanted attention from government authorities.
Speaking in a video shared online, the singer praised Skepta for drawing attention to the situation in Nigeria but maintained that local celebrities are not in a position to freely express their views without consequences.
“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,” he said.
Portable further claimed that some individuals are still dealing with the fallout from previous comments they made about government policies and national issues.
“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,” he stated.
The singer said many entertainers are primarily focused on their personal survival and livelihoods amid the country’s economic difficulties. He insisted that their silence should not be mistaken for indifference to the challenges facing Nigerians.
“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,” he added.
