Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was barred from performing at Taye Currency’s concert in Ibadan.
The Fuji star’s event, held on January 2, 2025, included Portable on its lineup. However, the singer faced strong opposition from locals.
A viral video captured an Ibadan resident issuing a stern warning to Portable, cautioning him to stay away from the city. The man also threatened Taye Currency, urging him to remove the Zazu crooner from the show to avoid trouble.
This backlash appears connected to Portable’s earlier controversy involving his former lover, Queen Dami, during which he boasted about providing her with an apartment featuring a POP ceiling, something he mocked as rare in Ibadan. He later apologized in a clip. Watch below;
According to the aggrieved man, Ibadan is a city of greatness and not a place to be disrespected. He criticized Portable for his past remarks, insisting that Lagos owes much of its greatness to Ibadan. The man advised Portable to focus on Lagos instead.
He also expressed his frustration with Taye Currency, warning the Fuji musician not to worsen his existing issues by allowing Portable to perform at the concert. In his words:
“I am begging you in God’s name if you don’t want to be unfortunate, don’t come to Ibadan! Alhaji Taye Currency, don’t start problems that will be bigger than you to handle, may you not be blamed for people’s deaths. Portable, stay in your Lagos, don’t come to Ibadan. Ibadan is not a town you can degrade with your words, everything glorious about Lagos came from Ibadan. Ibadan produces glory, Lagos has nothing it produces and you opened your big mouth to insult us in Ibadan, it will scatter, just wait and see. Alhaji Taye Currency, quickly remove Portable from your poster if you want to sell, you know you already have your own misdeeds, you know you have offended the whole world and Fuji musicians, you have insulted your helper, the person who took you out of the gutter, you have insulted him. Cancel your show or you remove Portable from it.”
Watch the video below;
Reports reveal that the opposition from Ibadan residents against Portable performing at Taye Currency’s concert intensified, leading to his absence from the event for safety reasons.
Although the Zazu crooner was reportedly in Ibadan and lodged at a hotel near The Palms Mall, the concert venue, he was ultimately not allowed to take the stage due to the strong backlash.
Tribune Online reported that JaRule Entertainment, the organizers of Taye Currency’s concert, addressed Portable’s absence at the event.
The management explained that, despite the commissioner of police providing sufficient security for the show, they received reports of individuals inquiring about Portable’s presence in Ibadan. To ensure safety and avoid any disruptions, they decided to keep him off the stage.
In their words; “We spoke to the commissioner of police about the matter and even signed an undertaking. We were provided with adequate security at the venue but we got reports that some people were still asking around for Portable’s whereabouts and lodging in Ibadan. It was then decided that he {Portable} stay off the show altogether.
“He was the only one unable to perform on the list. It is an unfortunate situation but as a professional management outfit, security comes first. This is the reason he couldn’t perform. We hope that the matter will be resolved as soon as possible.”