Nigerian music star Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Portable, has once again ignited social media and entertainment news with a **raw, emotional, and controversial revelation about his father’s treatment of him — not just as an artist, but as a child. In a candid Instagram Live video, the Zazu Zeh crooner tore into his father, accusing him of years of negligence, financial exploitation, and betrayal — a narrative that has sparked intense public debate across Nigeria and beyond.
This blog post unpacks Portable’s claims, contextualizes them against his life story, and explores the larger issues of family, success, and responsibility in the Nigerian entertainment landscape.
Growing Up Without Support: Portable’s Childhood Struggles
Portable’s journey to fame was far from glamorous. In his Instagram live rant, he revealed a deeply painful childhood, marked by abandonment and lack of parental support:
He said his mother died when he was young, leaving him in the care of his father in Abuja, where he struggled to find stability.
He claimed his father had many other wives and children, yet refused to pay for his education or even support basic needs while growing up.
According to Portable, his secondary school education was only made possible because his father’s sister (his aunt) stepped in and paid his school fees — a fact he mentions with deep gratitude but also painful contrast to his father’s absence.
After secondary school, he said he taught himself tailoring and made his way into the polytechnic, hustling on his own without familial financial help.
These early experiences, Portable insists, are the root of many unresolved emotional scars — even as he later found success in music.
From Hustler to Star: When Success Didn’t Heal Old Wounds
Portable’s rise in the Nigerian music industry was meteoric. Known for his street anthem hits like “Zazoo Zeh”, “Ko Por Ke”, and collaborations with top stars — he transformed his career from street hustle to international fame. But success did not erase the resentment he carried from childhood.
In his now‑viral live video, Portable stated plainly that his father never showed him affection, support, or responsibility as a child — but now that he is famous and wealthy, his father suddenly wants a place in his life.
This double standard, he said, is what fuels his anger and disappointment.
Accusations of Financial Exploitation & Property Disputes
One of the most explosive parts of Portable’s tirade was his accusation that his father manipulated and mishandled money he gave him for building projects — an allegation that goes beyond emotional neglect into legal and financial terrain.
Portable claimed that when he told his father to oversee construction of his house:
The stated cost of building materials was inflated, with what should have cost N300,000 being billed as N900,000 — suggesting deceit or corruption.
He said his father repeatedly pressured him about his properties, clothes, shoes and cars, fueling Portable’s belief that his dad was now after his hard‑earned wealth.
These allegations echo larger conversations in Nigeria about accountability within families and public figures, especially around wealth generated in the entertainment industry.
’Like Baba Mohbad’: The Sharply Controversial Comparison
Perhaps the most controversial moment in Portable’s video was when he compared his father to the late singer Mohbad’s father — whom many Nigerians criticized during the Mohbad family estate dispute after the artist’s death.
By making this comparison, Portable implied:
His father was more interested in extracting value from him than supporting him emotionally or financially.
He feared a situation where his father might lay claim to his wealth*, like Mohbad’s father allegedly tried to do with that artist’s property.
This part of his remarks drew strong online reactions — from support for his honesty to criticism for dragging a sensitive narrative into public discourse.
Neglected During Struggles, Present Only for Personal Gain
Portable also accused his father of absent support during legal and personal crises, a theme that resonates with many fans who see success as something that isolates artists from their humble beginnings.
According to multiple reports:
Portable said that anytime he was in trouble — even police situations — his father never showed up.
But now, he claimed his father keeps calling his baby mamas and seeking financial contributions from them and from him — meddling in his personal life while providing no support.
This selective involvement, he said, has thrown his personal life into chaos, rather than providing the stability one might expect from a parent.
These claims turned public sentiment into a heated debate about whether celebrities should air family issues publicly or handle them privately.
Portable’s Emotional Truth: Forgiveness, Pain, and Resolve
Despite the emotional firestorm, Portable also addressed a deeper theme: forgiveness and pain.
He acknowledged that he forgave his father at some point — but that forgiveness did not erase his sense of injustice or the pain from years of neglect and betrayal. Instead, fame opened old wounds, bringing them into the spotlight.
Portable argued that while he is still young, he is building his legacy not only for himself but for his children — to ensure they are loved, cared for, and not left to fend for themselves as he was. This emphasis on creating generational security is a powerful message amidst the drama.
Public Reaction: Mixed Support, Criticism, and Debate
Public response to Portable’s revelations has been intense and polarized:
Supporters say:
He is finally speaking his truth after years of emotional neglect.
Many sympathize with the idea that emotional abandonment leaves deeper scars than financial struggles.
Critics argue:
Some contend he should handle family issues privately rather than publicly airing grievances.
Others suggest that some of Portable’s claims could damage his reputation and taint family relationships beyond repair.
This split reaction reflects broader social attitudes toward family loyalty, celebrity accountability, and the role of social media in private disputes.
What This Says About Fame, Family, and Healing
Portable’s case is not just gossip — it highlights complex realities:
🔹 Family dynamics are rarely straightforward.
Many successful figures carry unresolved childhood trauma.
🔹 Money changes relationships.
Whether earned or inherited, wealth can expose rifts that were once contained.
🔹 Celebrity amplifies every conflict.
What might have been a private dispute becomes a public spectacle.
🔹 Emotional neglect matters.
Children remember absence more than presence without support.
For fans, critics, and observers, Portable’s outspoken confrontation with his father opens a dialogue about parenting, support, love, and the responsibilities that come with success — especially in nations where family structures are both deeply respected and fiercely protected.
In Conclusion: A Painful Truth and a Bold Statement
Portable’s public denunciation of his father is more than a celebrity rant — it is a painful, controversial, and deeply human story about struggle, betrayal, forgiveness, and self‑determination.
Whether you agree or disagree with his approach, one thing is clear: his story resonates with many who’ve experienced family neglect across socioeconomic backgrounds. It highlights the emotional complexity behind celebrity success — reminding us that fame doesn’t erase childhood wounds — it often magnifies them.
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