Habeeb Hamzat, also known as Peller, is a TikTok content creator. He claims that Nigerians misinterpreted his previous remarks regarding the popular “30-day rant challenge” and the viral video created by Jarvis, another influencer.
Speaking on his Instagram page on Thursday, Peller claimed that many people misunderstood his remarks, thinking he was making fun of the challenge and merely attempting to save his TikTok revenue.
He sent a video with the message, “Nigeria, you are misinterpreting me and Jarvis. Please try to understand that I am not the president; I am Peller.”
The 19-year-old TikToker also addressed the issue in the latest video, stating, “Hello Nigerians, I have something to tell you. The video was misinterpreted by you all. I said, “You should go to the market to go and rant,” but that was not what I meant in the live video that was screen recorded.
“Many people have been saying that I am worried about my source of income,” he continued. There are others on TikTok that are profiting from it besides me. The app is generating revenue for many users. There, even those without followers can earn money. People are aware that TikTok material can go viral.
“What Jarvis was saying in her live video meant that Nigerians have money,” he remarked of Jarvis.
Peller had earlier faced controversy after he asked Nigerians to avoid ranting on TikTok, warning that such behaviour could lead the government to shut the network outright.
“Go to Instagram or the market if you want to really vent; don’t vent on TikTok. In an earlier video, he stated, “We will have problems if they ban TikTok.”
Let’s protest,” he continued. Come on, let’s go outside. Let’s get off of TikTok. Something is just mumu mumu on the internet.
Nigerians are adopting the “30-day rant challenge,” which is now popular on TikTok and X, to express their frustration with the hard economy and growing expense of living under the Tinubu-led government.
The issue began when Ushie Uguamaye, a member of the NYSC, criticised President Bola Tinubu in a video that went viral, calling him a “terrible president” whose policies are hurting companies and the impoverished.
Peller previously stated, “After ranting for 30 days, you that say you’ve been suffering, you’ll go back to the suffering,” in response to the daily outbursts.
Reactions to his words were divided. While some applauded him, others shamed him for being callous and only looking out for his own pocket.
Because of this, having a steady source of income is beneficial, according to user @LADE. The only person who would be afraid of TikTok being banned is someone who is unemployed. To stop this kind of tirade, dude, do something with the money you receive from TikTok. You’ve always been someone I like. However, you’re going too far.
Peller and Jarvis are now attempting to defuse the situation by claiming that they were misinterpreted and never intended to silence the voices of underprivileged Nigerians.
