Portable Recounts Uneventful Encounter with Peter Obi, Says Tinubu Would’ve Showered Him with Cash [VIDEO]

 

Controversial street-hop musician Habeeb Okikiola, better known by his stage name Portable, has once again sparked online buzz—this time by recounting a chance encounter with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The self-styled “Zazu” crooner shared the details of the meeting via a characteristically animated video posted on his social media handle.

Portable’s revelation centered not just on the brief nature of the encounter, but on what he perceived as a missed opportunity for material appreciation. According to him, the only token he received from Obi during their meeting was a simple handshake. More intriguingly, he noted that while he was seated in the luxury of first class during the flight, the former governor of Anambra State was traveling in the economy section.

“Na handshake I collect that day,” he remarked, emphasizing the modesty of Obi’s gesture. “I dey for first class, Baba dey for economy. If na Tinubu, bundles go drop,” Portable added, referencing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and suggesting that the sitting president would have likely shown more financial generosity.

This statement—brimming with Portable’s signature brashness—has generated a flurry of reactions online, further fueling the ever-controversial divide between celebrity culture, political personas, and public expectations of generosity from Nigerian leaders.

The singer’s comments also implicitly underscored the distinct personal branding and leadership styles of both politicians. Peter Obi, known for his frugality and understated demeanor, has cultivated a public image centered around modesty, prudence, and economic discipline. His insistence on flying economy class has often been cited as an extension of his political ideology: leadership by example and humility in public service.

On the other hand, President Tinubu, a long-standing political heavyweight, is often associated with patronage politics and has a reputation—whether rightly or wrongly—of rewarding loyalty and entertainers with tangible gifts. Portable’s juxtaposition of these two figures offered more than just celebrity gossip; it gave insight into how the youth, and especially entertainers, perceive and relate to political figures in Nigeria’s dynamic cultural and political landscape.

Fans and critics alike have weighed in on Portable’s remarks, with some praising Obi for remaining consistent in his austere values, while others criticized Portable’s apparent prioritization of monetary gain over principle. Social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram have become battlegrounds for both sides of the argument.

Critics of Portable accuse him of reinforcing a toxic expectation that public figures, especially politicians, should automatically dish out money during public encounters. These critics argue that such expectations feed into a larger culture of transactional politics that undermines democratic ideals and ethical governance.

Supporters of the singer, however, view his commentary as a candid expression of how many Nigerians, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, assess and engage with leadership. For them, leadership must translate not only into policies and principles but into visible acts of support and generosity—especially in a country where poverty and hardship are widespread.

Portable’s relationship with Nigerian politics has never been without drama. He previously made headlines for his affiliations with various political camps during the 2023 elections and has publicly courted controversy over his unfiltered opinions and erratic behavior. His reputation for speaking his mind—without regard for political correctness or decorum—has earned him both admiration and criticism in equal measure.

While his latest comments may seem trivial to some, they reflect deeper questions about the expectations of Nigerian celebrities, the roles of politicians in cultural engagement, and the often blurred lines between governance, showmanship, and reward culture.

Peter Obi has not publicly responded to Portable’s statements, and it's unlikely he will, given his generally reserved approach to media sensationalism. Still, the video has reignited debates about the meaning of humility in leadership and the responsibilities of public figures in shaping societal values.

At its core, this episode—no matter how flamboyantly presented—offers a mirror into the social fabric of Nigeria: a nation where even the briefest encounters between celebrity and politician can become touchstones for larger conversations about wealth, power, and principle.

"When I met Peter Obi, all I got was a handshake🤝 I was flying first class while he was in economy."😭😂

-Portable laments pic.twitter.com/KuRZd1Hda9

— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) June 13, 2025