Controversial Nigerian street-pop artist, Habeeb Okikiola—widely known as Portable—sparked online buzz on Sunday after a dramatic display of humility while meeting Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the 50th birthday party of celebrity fashion designer, Seyi Vodi, in Abuja.
The encounter, captured and shared on Portable’s official Instagram page, showed the Zazu Zeh crooner physically bowing and attempting to kneel before Seyi Tinubu as they exchanged pleasantries at the glamorous event.
Seyi, appearing calm and gracious, swiftly raised Portable up and went on to take selfies with the visibly excited singer. The moment, though brief, has since gone viral—fuelled by Portable’s emotionally loaded caption and the flurry of fan reactions online.
In his post, Portable openly praised Seyi Tinubu, saying the meeting marked a turning point in his life. He claimed that the president’s son had already “changed his destiny,” describing the encounter as divine intervention and a sign of Nigeria’s brighter future.
“@seyitinubu Omo President wa don change my life. Naija go still better. Akoi Tinubu. Ijoba Labubu bujebudanu. Oluwa send my helper to me. Loyalty pass juju. Thank God say man no be God,” he wrote.
In the same breath, Portable offered a public prayer asking God for more helpers and reaffirmed his belief in divine timing and grace. He also used the opportunity to address his fans, urging Nigerians to believe that things will get better and reminding them that loyalty and humility remain his guiding principles.
A recurring name in the saga is Abu Abel, a close ally and supporter of Portable. In the viral video, many netizens noticed Abel’s piercing gaze, with fans joking that he was on “monitoring spirit” mode—closely watching Portable’s moves to prevent any potential embarrassment.
While some interpreted the gesture as fatherly oversight, others believed it symbolised the kind of protection Portable often needs due to his impulsive nature.
The public had mixed feelings. While many applauded Seyi Tinubu’s humility for initiating a selfie with the singer, others felt Portable’s display bordered on desperation.
Here’s a snapshot of what netizens had to say:
- “Abu Abel just dey monitor him in case he wan do rubbish.”
- “Seyi na guy man… see as he just collect picture comot nicely.”
- “Make Portable calm down small, Abu Abel really likes him. This link-up na still Abu run am.”
- “Portable sef dey hustle smart. But grace dey speak for am sha.”
Money Rain at the Party
Earlier that same day, Portable had also posted another video showing off bundles of N500 and N1000 notes he claimed to have received at Seyi Vodi’s birthday celebration. Surrounded by other celebrities and industry insiders, the visibly thrilled singer flaunted the cash with characteristic flair.
Though some critics remain skeptical of Portable’s every move, one thing is clear—his public embrace of powerful figures like Seyi Tinubu is helping him gain social capital in Nigeria’s elite circles. Whether out of genuine admiration or a strategic hustle, the Zazu singer seems intent on securing his place among the big names.
With Seyi Tinubu now on his radar and Abu Abel in his corner, Portable’s next moves will surely continue to attract attention—for better or worse.
