The Headies organizers have excluded Nigerian musician Habeem Okikiola, better known by his stage name Portable, from competing in this year’s awards.
On May 24, Portable received nominations in the categories of “Best Street Artist” and “Rookie of the Year.”
He was anticipated to have competition from Av, Fave, Magixx, and Ugoccie for the title of “Rookie of the Year.”
He competed in the second category among people like Bella Shmurda, Mohbad, Naira Marley, and Goya Menor.
Portable asserted his fellow Headies candidates are no match for him shortly after the nominees were announced.
In addition, he made a murderous threat against anyone who won any category in his place.
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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.
But in a statement released on Tuesday evening, July 26, the award organisers 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.
Claim To Be Founder Of One Million Boys
The statement also revealed how the infamous artiste claimed to be the founder of the “One Million Boys,” — a gang which terrorised Lagosians during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
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.
Consequently, the Headies announced the ban on Portable, including the categories being nominated therein.
It further read;
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.
