Nigerian street-hop singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has ignited fierce controversy with his reaction to the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, July 14, 2025.
The news of Buhari’s passing in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025, has stirred up a mixed emotions across Nigeria.
Portable’s Explosive Reaction to Buhari’s Death: “May He Die Again in Heaven”
But Portable’s blunt and provocative video response on Monday has set social media ablaze.
In the clip, Portable directly blamed Buhari for the tragic shooting of #ENDSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos in October 2020.
He claimed Buhari, not current President Bola Tinubu, ordered the military to open fire on peaceful demonstrators.
“The man that ordered the shooting is dead” Portable’s bold claim
Portable said in the video:
“The man that said they should shoot our people at the Lekki Still Gate is dead.”
“Let us do good. May he die again in Heaven.”
“He was the one that ordered the shooting, not Tinubu. He died in London.”
His words were harsh and unfiltered, reflecting the anger many Nigerians still harbor over the Lekki Toll Gate massacre.
The incident remains one of the darkest moments in Nigeria’s recent history, with calls for justice and accountability still unanswered.
Portable’s call for accountability and moral reflection
Beyond blaming Buhari, Portable urged Nigerians to “do good” because of tomorrow.
He warned that a person’s deeds follow them beyond death.
The singer’s message was clear: Buhari’s legacy is stained by blood and betrayal, and Nigerians must learn from it.
Portable also criticized the late president’s priorities.
He accused Buhari of enriching himself and building mansions while neglecting the nation’s crumbling healthcare system.
Portable lamented that while Buhari sought medical treatment abroad, millions of Nigerians suffered without basic health services.
Public Backlash and Divided Opinions
Portable’s controversial remarks have sparked heated debate online.
Some Nigerians praised his courage to speak truth to power, while others condemned his lack of respect for the dead.
Critics accuse him of being insensitive and disrespectful.
Supporters argue that his outburst highlights a painful truth long ignored.
This reaction comes amid other critical voices like DJ Switch, who also challenged Buhari’s legacy following his death.
The divide in public opinion underscores the deep wounds Buhari’s presidency left in Nigeria.
Buhari’s death: official mourning vs. public sentiment
While President Bola Tinubu and other leaders mourned Buhari as a patriot and statesman, many Nigerians remain skeptical.
Buhari’s death was officially announced by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu, confirming he died in a London clinic after a prolonged illness.
The government declared a public holiday and ordered flags to fly at half-mast.
Buhari’s burial was scheduled for Monday, July 14, 2025, in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
However, the official mourning contrasts sharply with the public’s mixed feelings.
Many Nigerians view the ceremony as political posturing that glosses over the suffering endured during Buhari’s rule.
The Lekki Toll Gate Shooting: A Blight on Buhari’s Legacy
The October 2020 Lekki Toll Gate shooting during the #ENDSARS protests remains a defining stain on Buhari’s tenure.
Security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters demanding police reform.
The incident shocked the world and deepened distrust in the Nigerian government.
Portable’s accusation that Buhari personally ordered the shooting challenges the narrative pushed by some politicians who try to shift blame.
His statement revives demands for justice and accountability that remain unresolved.
Portable’s Latest Remarks Follow Previous Security Criticism
Portable’s reaction to Buhari’s death follows his recent comments on Nigeria’s worsening security situation, including the Benue killings.
He called on President Tinubu to address the country’s security challenges urgently.
The singer’s outspoken nature and willingness to confront sensitive issues have made him a polarizing figure.
His latest video confirms he will not shy away from controversy.
What Nigerians Are Saying: Mixed Reactions Flood Social Media
Social media users have expressed a wide range of opinions about Portable’s video:
- Some agree with Portable, praising his bravery to speak against a former president.
- Others criticize him for disrespecting the dead and stirring division.
- A few highlight the irony that many Nigerians were more interested in a Chelsea football match than Buhari’s death.
These reactions reflect the complex emotions Nigerians feel about Buhari’s legacy and the country’s future.
Buhari’s Death Exposes Nigeria’s Deep Divisions
Portable’s explosive reaction to Muhammadu Buhari’s death exposes the deep divisions in Nigerian society.
His claim that Buhari ordered the Lekki Toll Gate shooting and his wish that Buhari “die again in heaven” are bold and controversial.
The former president’s death has reopened old wounds about corruption, human rights abuses, and failed leadership.
While official voices mourn a patriot, many Nigerians remember a leader who left millions impoverished and insecure.
Portable’s words force a reckoning. Nigeria must confront its past honestly if it hopes to build a better future.
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