The organisers of The Headies have disqualified controversial Nigerian musician Habeem Okikiola better known as Portable, from this year’s edition of its awards.
Gatekeepers News reports that the award organisers in a statement said Portable was disqualified because he is a subject of an investigation relating to criminal activities.
The statement read, “We regret to announce that following numerous indicting statements made by Mr. Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as “Portable”, and the incessant negative attention that Mr Okikiola has garnered from the Nigeria Police and the general public in recent times, the organisers of the Headies have resolved to disqualify Mr Okikiola as a nominee at the forthcoming 15th Headies Awards.
“The decision to disqualify Mr. Okikiola is accentuated by series of misdemeanours by Mr Okikiola via his social media platforms. On May 25 2022, he threatened to kill, harm or cause harm to the other nominees in the same categories of awards he was nominated for, if he does not emerge the winner, precisely;
“Those are my awards. Anybody else who wins, I will ask for them to be killed. I will ask them to kill the person. If the organizers give my award to someone else, they will die”. -Mr. Habeeb Okikiola.
“On July 18 2022, Mr Okikiola published a video on his social media platfoms where he stated that he is the founder of the notorious cult group. ‘One Million Boys’. The said group gained notoriety for maiming and robbing innocent Nigerians over the years. In his words, he said;
“Have you heard of Ajah boys, One Million Boys? I established them.”
“Furthermore, on the June 17 2022, Mr. Habeeb Okikiola made a recording of himself where he ordered his group of friends to assault and inflict bodily harm on his accused friend, DJ Chicken. In his words, he said;
“E na eleyi paa jo!”(beat him mercilesslyl)
“Smooth Promotions Limited, the organisers of the Headies Awards is a law abiding and responsible organization that abhors any form of violence, unlawful gathering or activities ravaging our society.
“We shall not condone reckless and uncouth statements from artistes and hereby disassociate ourself from any individual linked to such assembly or activities including Mr. Okikiola’s prospects as long as these acts are sufficientiy linked to him as described.
“The music industry demands all-round excellence. It is extremely important for young artistes being potential role models to exude professional responsibility, proper decorum and have respect for others.
“Being subject of an investigation relating to criminal activities, Mr Habeeb Okikiola is hereby disqualified from both categories of awards at the forthcoming 15th Annual Headies Awards scheduled to hold later this year namely:
1. Best Street Artist 2. Rookie of the Year
“The public are hereby assured of our commitment to promote talents and individuals of exemplary character in the best interest of our society.”
On May 24, Portable was nominated for the ‘Best Street Artist’ and ‘Rookie of the Year’ categories.
In the ‘Rookie of the Year’ category, he was expected to compete with Av, Fave, Magixx, and Ugoccie.
For the second category, he was pitted against Bella Shmurda, Mohbad, Naira Marley, and Goya Menor among others.
Shortly after the nominations were unveiled, Portable claimed his co-nominees at The Headies are no match for him.
He also threatened to kill anyone who wins any of the categories in his place.
In its reaction, organisers of the awards threatened to disqualify him if he failed to retract his statement and issue an apology on his social media pages.
Portable had initially taunted the award organisers, saying they “nominated a mad man musician”.
The singer thereafter apologised for his “unlkguarded utterance” which he said was harmless.
