Following the Osun State gubernatorial election on July 16, 2022, where Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), fans of Afrobeat star Davido (David Adeleke) took to social media to mock controversial hip-hop artist Portable (Habeeb Okikiola). Adeleke, Davido’s uncle, secured 403,371 votes to defeat the incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 375,027 votes, with Lasun Yusuf of the Labour Party trailing at 2,729 votes. Portable, who had publicly campaigned for Oyetola after joining the APC and admitted to being paid for his support, faced intense criticism for opposing Davido’s family, who had previously supported his rise to fame.
Portable’s Campaign and Social Media Fallout
Days before the election, Portable openly endorsed Oyetola, sharing a video on Instagram alongside the governor and posting, “Akoi APC, Akoi Oyetola Lekan si. 4+4=8. O ti lo,” signaling his allegiance to the APC’s bid for re-election. His decision was framed as a financial opportunity, with the artist emphasizing his “hustle” mentality. However, Adeleke’s victory sparked a wave of online mockery, with fans accusing Portable of disloyalty to Davido, who had helped elevate his career through collaborations and endorsements. Comments on X included ronkeyzee’s quip, “Make Portable sweep the whole of Osun with broom before going back to Lagos,” and mide_fwesh’s jab, “What will Portable beg for again now APC lost to PDP lmao. In this life make we get sense and also lastly no be everything be gra gra!!”
Davido’s Support vs. Portable’s Hustle
Davido’s vocal support for his uncle Ademola Adeleke was seen as a personal and familial commitment, contrasting with Portable’s transactional approach to campaigning for Oyetola. Fans, such as officialdanielrolland and badboi8rain, taunted Portable with remarks like “Portable oooo” and “Portable how far,” while misschide predicted, “Portable will not like this ooo. So y’all he ready for war.” The backlash highlighted the tension between loyalty and opportunism in Nigeria’s entertainment and political spheres, with Portable’s actions perceived as a betrayal of Davido’s earlier mentorship.
Election Context and Aftermath
Adeleke’s victory, announced on July 17, 2022, marked a significant political shift in Osun State, with the PDP unseating the APC in a closely contested race. INEC’s Returning Officer, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, confirmed Adeleke’s win, with the PDP securing 17 of the 30 local government areas compared to the APC’s 13. Portable’s high-profile support for Oyetola, including appearances at campaign rallies, made him a focal point for fans’ reactions when the results favored Adeleke. Despite the mockery, Portable later congratulated Adeleke on Instagram, sharing a song dedicated to the governor-elect, which drew mixed reactions due to his prior APC allegiance.
Broader Implications
The incident underscored the intersection of Nigerian pop culture and politics, where celebrities wield significant influence but face scrutiny for their affiliations. Portable’s trend on X reflected his polarizing persona, with fans both mocking his miscalculation and acknowledging his hustle-driven approach. The episode also highlighted Davido’s growing political clout through his family’s success, reinforcing his status as a cultural and political force. While Portable’s career continued to thrive, the Osun election saga cemented his reputation as a controversial figure unafraid to stir debate.
