Nigerian singer Portable, also known as Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, was notably absent from popular Fuji musician Alhaji Taye Currency’s musical concert for safety reasons.
This is a result of Portable’s controversial comments in 2024 about his past relationship with Queen Dami and criticism of residents in Ibadan for lacking basic home accessories like POP ceilings.
Portable’s absence from the concert sparked backlash from fans in Oyo State, where he criticized the lack of plaster-of-Paris ceilings in homes.
Even after he apologised and announced his invitation to perform at the just held Taye Currency concert, many fans advised him not to come.
Portable was visibly absent at the show as investigations proved that he arrived Ibadan and was lodged in a hotel close to the Palms Mall venue, but couldn’t perform at his scheduled time due to security concerns.
The organisers of the Taye Currency concert, responding to the unfortunate circumstance, also gave reasons why they didn’t allow Portable perform at the event.
The CEO of Jarule entertainment and curator of the concert, said that when it became obvious that there were verified concerns about the security of the singer owing to his recent comments about Ibadan, it was decided that he stay off the venue altogether. Jarule said:
“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”.
Many have lauded the Ibadan people for not condoning the rascality of the controversial singer, stressing that it was good that he was taught a ‘valuable’ lesson.
Portable is yet to speak on the matter, as at the time of filing this report.
