The Headies, Nigeria’s most prestigious music awards ceremony, has rejected well-known artist Portable from being a nominee.
The organizers noted that both the Nigeria Police and the general public had expressed their disapproval of the performer.
The organizers also referred to the police’s ongoing criminal investigations into the singer’s recent misdemeanors in a statement released on Tuesday.
Part of 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.
“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.”
Both the Rookie of the Year and Best Street Artiste categories both included Portable.
The musician threatened other prize nominees after being nominated, and the organizers responded.
The Nigerian Police Force was formally notified of the singer’s threat against the other Headies candidates by Smooth Promotions Limited, the parent company of the award show.
Additionally, the singer was urged to retract his statement, which he later did.
Usman Baba, the Inspector General of Police, has recently demanded that the artist be investigated after he implied that he formed cult groups.
