Veteran Nigerian singer 9ice has sparked concern among fans after he was seen walking with difficulty during a political event held in Lagos.
The Afrobeats and Fuji star, whose real name is Abolore Akande, attended the inauguration of the Lagos State chapter of the City Boy Movement on Tuesday, July 28, at Marcellina’s Place in Ikeja.
The 46-year-old musician has been seen hobbling into the event in videos that have been trending on social media, leading many fans to wonder if he was battling with health problems.
The clip which went viral on X was met with fans expressing their concern and sending him get well wishes. 9ice was in a jolly mood throughout the event despite appearing to have difficulty walking. Clad in a patterned outfit and his iconic white cap, the popular singer greeted guests, hugged fans and later performed his hit song, Street Credibility, to the excitement of the attendees.
The City Boy Movement is a political support group formed to galvanise young Nigerians to support the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). Politicians, local government officials, entertainers and party supporters gathered at the Lagos chapter’s inauguration to rally grassroots support for the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Despite the political nature of the event, 9ice’s physical appearance became one of the day’s biggest talking points. Many social media users observed that his movement appeared slow in comparison to the energy the performer has exhibited over the years.
The videos have since sparked widespread speculation over his wellbeing, although the singer has not publicly addressed the reason behind his apparent discomfort.
9ice, who is celebrated for blending Fuji music with Afrobeats, hip-hop and street-inspired sounds, remains one of Nigeria’s most influential music stars, with a career that has produced several timeless hits.