Nigerian musician, Habeeb Okikiola, better known online as Portable, has caused controversy after it was revealed that he had smacked a man who was allegedly preaching at his bar.
The video quickly went viral and attracted criticism from netizens who denounced the artist’s violent actions, reviving debates about his contentious public behaviour.
Portable accosted a middle-aged man outside his bar while going live on Instagram in Sango Ota, Ogun State.
The singer, who was obviously furious, asked the man, who appeared to be holding a Bible, “Why disturb my customers on a Monday morning?” before slapping him.
“This is how they spoil my business and disturb my business. Are you crazy? Early on a Monday, you’re spoiling my business. I had prayed for myself before leaving home,” he added before asking the man to leave the vicinity.
Portable’s actions did not sit well with many social media users; some of whom called him out for assault.
Reacting to this, some netizens on X.com, tweeting with #delemon said; “Why will Portable slap a Pastor? This Bro Doesn’t deserve the fame we gave him #jbrandy_YBNL slammed him, saying “Why will Portable slap a Pastor? This Bro Doesn’t deserve the fame we gave him.”
Another user, weeping as #TemitayoOdede wrote, “This guy portable don Dey do too much ooo Like see the effrontery, slapping man of God like, what could he have done for him to slap that man.”
However, a user, #delemon supported Portable, saying, “I heard a lot of people saying this is assault and he should get a lawyer. If the Man is a genuine Man of God, Portable can’t escape what is coming to him. You slap a servant of a living God? The man doesn’t even need to alter a word to God, he’s done for.”
