Despite the intense scrutiny surrounding his recent unauthorized visit to the Benin Palace and a substantial legal challenge in Lagos, TikTok streamer Peller (Habeeb Hamzat) has pressed forward with his nationwide streaming tour. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, the influencer was hosted at the Government House in Osogbo by the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
Highlights of the Osun Visit:
- A Change in Tone: After facing backlash and even briefly considering cancelling the tour, Peller’s reception in Osun stood in stark contrast to his experience in Edo State. Governor Adeleke welcomed the content creator into his office for a chat and photo session, culminating in a lighthearted dance session to a track by Davido, the governor’s nephew.
- Political & Youth Engagement: The visit has been widely interpreted as a signal of support from the state leadership toward Nigeria’s growing digital creator economy. By integrating Peller into a public dance session, the governor showcased a willingness to engage with youth culture, helping to soften the negative PR Peller has faced this month.
- Tour Resilience: Peller, who kicked off his tour on March 6, briefly wavered after the Benin controversy but has since confirmed that the 20-state journey—which includes stops in Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Kogi, Kano, and beyond—will continue as planned.
The Bigger Picture: While the Osun visit provided a momentary boost, Peller remains under pressure on two major fronts:
- Benin Palace Fallout: The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) maintains that his visit to the palace was a breach of protocol. The council has demanded an unreserved written apology and warned that a queen involved in the filming faces disciplinary proceedings. Peller has publicly shifted responsibility to his management, claiming he was unaware of the unauthorized nature of the visit.
- The ₦395 Million Lawsuit: A Lagos-based woman, Osarobo Odigie, is seeking ₦395 million in damages following a confrontation at a Lekki lounge in January. Peller has admitted he lacks the financial capacity to meet this demand, labeling the suit an attempt to break him financially.
As Peller continues his tour across Nigeria, the contrasting receptions—from the “wanted” declaration in Benin to the dance-off in Osun—highlight the complex and evolving relationship between traditional institutions, political authorities, and the new wave of digital influencers.
