The ongoing public feud between controversial Afrobeats artist Habeeb Okikiola, known professionally as Portable, and social media activist Martins Otse, who goes by VeryDarkMan, has taken a dramatic turn as the “Zazu” crooner has issued a direct challenge for a street fight.
The escalating conflict, which has captivated Nigerian social media users for weeks, stems from political disagreements over criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Portable initially confronted VeryDarkMan over the activist’s persistent criticism of the president regarding the country’s economic challenges, accusing him of exploiting the tragic death of late singer Mohbad for personal gain and popularity.
The dispute quickly transformed from political commentary into personal attacks when VeryDarkMan responded with a scathing diss track titled “Ole” (meaning “thief” in Yoruba). The track directly referenced Portable’s past legal troubles, including allegations of stealing a tricycle and mobile phones, as well as his subsequent arrest by law enforcement.
Never one to back down from controversy, Portable retaliated with his musical response, setting off a back-and-forth exchange that has dominated entertainment headlines and social media discourse.
In his latest escalation, captured in a widely circulated video broadcast, Portable dismissed suggestions for a regulated boxing match, instead demanding an uncontrolled street confrontation. Speaking with characteristic bravado, the singer declared his preference for street fighting over organized boxing.
“People have been tagging me and asking for a boxing match between me and VeryDarkMan. Who will box with that fool?” Portable, as stated in the video. “If he wants to fight with me, let him come to the street. I’m a street fighter. I don’t want a boxing match because we will be mandated to wear protective gear. But it’s in the streets; you can even fight with planks. I want us to settle this with a street fight, not boxing. Let’s see who will win.”
The challenge represents a concerning escalation in what began as ideological differences over governance and has devolved into threats of physical violence. Portable’s explicit rejection of safety equipment and his mention of using “planks” as weapons raise serious questions about the potential for actual harm.
As of press time, VeryDarkMan has not publicly responded to Portable’s challenge for a street fight. The activist, known for his outspoken criticism of public figures and social issues, has maintained silence on this latest provocation.
The feud highlights the increasingly volatile nature of public discourse in Nigeria’s entertainment and activism spaces, where disagreements frequently spiral into personal vendettas played out before millions of social media followers. Both figures have substantial online followings, with their dispute drawing commentary from fans, fellow celebrities, and social observers.
Law enforcement agencies have not yet commented on the public challenge, though previous incidents involving threats of violence between public figures have occasionally prompted police intervention. The entertainment industry and civil society groups have also remained largely silent on the matter.
This latest development underscores broader concerns about the intersection of celebrity culture, political discourse, and social media in contemporary Nigeria, where public figures wield significant influence over young audiences who may view such confrontational behavior as acceptable conflict resolution.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The feud between singer Portable and activist VeryDarkMan has dangerously escalated from political disagreements to threats of physical violence. What began as a dispute over criticism of President Tinubu has devolved into a public challenge for an unregulated street fight, with Portable explicitly rejecting safety measures and mentioning weapons.
