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The ongoing feud between Nigerian musician Habeeb Okikiola, widely recognized by his stage name Portable, and social media commentator Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has taken a volatile turn, with the singer publicly challenging his critic to an unrestrained street brawl. The conflict, which began with political and personal allegations, has escalated through diss tracks and heated exchanges, now verging on physical confrontation.

Tensions flared after Portable accused Otse of repeatedly targeting Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in online critiques about the nation’s economic struggles. In a contentious remark, the singer also alleged that Otse exploited the death of late musician Mohbad—a figure whose tragic passing in 2023 sparked widespread public outcry—to amplify his own platform. The activist retaliated swiftly, releasing a scathing track titled Ole (Yoruba for “thief”), which dredged up Portable’s past legal troubles, including accusations of theft and a police arrest.

Portable fired back with his own musical rebuttal, igniting a war of words that has dominated Nigerian social media. The dispute reached a new peak this week when the Zazu hitmaker dismissed calls for a regulated boxing match, instead demanding a no-holds-barred street fight. In a viral video, he mocked the idea of formal rules, stating, “Why would I box that fool? If he wants a fight, let’s settle it in the streets. There’s no protection there—just planks and raw fists. Let’s see who survives.”

The singer’s challenge underscores a broader cultural clash between Nigeria’s entertainment scene and its burgeoning online activism. Portable, who rose to fame through his unapologetically gritty persona, has framed the feud as a defense of his reputation, while Otse—a self-styled “voice of the people”—positions his critiques as calls for accountability amid economic hardship. Yet the turn toward physical violence has drawn mixed reactions, with some fans decrying it as irresponsible, while others view it as an inevitable escalation of the duo’s combative styles.

As of press time, VeryDarkMan has not publicly addressed the street fight proposal. However, the exchange has reignited discussions about the limits of celebrity disputes and the potential consequences of normalizing violence as conflict resolution. Mohbad’s legacy, too, remains a sensitive touchpoint; his death last year, linked to alleged bullying and industry rivalries, prompted national debates about artist safety and cyberbullying—themes now ironically mirrored in this spat.

Local outlet Media Talk Africa, which first reported the feud’s origins, noted that both figures have sizable youth followings, raising concerns about the message sent to younger audiences. Authorities have not commented on whether they would intervene if the proposed brawl materializes. For now, the spotlight remains on whether this clash of egos will fizzle out online or spill into the streets.