Controversial musician Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, also known as Portable, has stated that he cannot protest the country’s insecurity, stating that he is frightened of being arrested if he speaks out against the issue.
The Zazu crooner said this in response to British-Nigerian rapper Skepta’s call for Nigerian celebrities to speak out against the country’s deteriorating economic conditions and rising insecurity.
Portable contended that it is safer for Nigerians in the diaspora to protest the insecurity since the Nigerian government “can’t arrest” them from overseas.
In a video broadcast, he stated, “Skepta, God bless you for remembering and speaking for Nigeria. However, you are suggesting that we, as Nigerian celebrities, should stand up and demand justice; do you want the Nigerian government to choose us? They will arrest us if we speak up.
“The government is oppressing us. Some of us are still being prosecuted for our previous remarks. We need assistance. We need help, not just prayers. Nigerians in the diaspora should speak up because the Nigerian government cannot arrest them from overseas. If we speak up in Nigeria, we would face serious consequences. They might even seize our passports if we, as celebrities, say things we shouldn’t.
“So I’m only concerned with how I can make money and improve my own situation. It’s not that celebrities don’t care about Nigeria; nevertheless, if we speak up, they would harass us.
Many of us are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the situation in Nigeria. But we can’t speak up. If we were abroad, we would be more comfortable speaking up.”