Davido's Osun Election Stance Sparks Controversy, Leads to Edo Performance Ban

Following the Osun State governorship election, Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, engaged in a series of high-profile political interactions that drew both playful exchanges and sharp criticism. After his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, won the election, Davido and Governor Adeleke visited President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Subsequently, they proceeded to the residence of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Abuja.

A video widely circulated on social media captured a lighthearted yet notable exchange between Davido and Minister Wike. In the video, Davido playfully asserted, “I won. I beat you,” repeatedly to Wike, who was seen disputing the claim with a smile. The interaction culminated with Davido prostrating before Wike and embracing him, drawing laughter and applause from those present. Many linked Davido’s comments to the August 15, 2026 (likely a typo, should be 2022/2023 based on context) Osun State governorship election, where his uncle, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, secured victory with 511,067 votes against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes.

However, these interactions did not go without scrutiny. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore publicly criticized Davido’s meeting with Wike, especially in light of the violence and deaths reported before and during the election. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sowore labeled Davido and other political figures as “political hustlers,” accusing them of presenting public facades while their underlying interests converged. He wrote, “Nigerian political hustlers will deceive the public, and the gullible will swallow the deception whole. Here is the loud and lousy @davido genuflecting before Nyesom Wike @GovWike, barely a week after their ‘agreement is agreement’ election politics in Osun, a contest marred by deadly violence and the loss of scores of lives.” Sowore further argued that behind the public grandstanding, these political actors understand where their interests align, calling them “Dissemblers. Gerrymanderers. Carpetbaggers. Political hustlers. Lying machines.” Minister Wike, commenting on the Osun election outcome, had attributed Adeleke's victory to President Bola Tinubu allowing a free and fair poll.

Adding to the controversies, Davido found himself embroiled in another public spat, this time with Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo. The conflict originated during the Osun election campaign when Governor Okpebholo, an APC member, criticized Governor Adeleke’s performance, suggesting his dancing skills distracted from governance. Davido responded vehemently on Instagram by mocking Okpebholo’s academic grade, sharing his WAEC result. Following Adeleke’s victory, Davido reaffirmed his stance in an interview with News Central, vowing never to apologize to Okpebholo and asserting that the governor had no right to attack a performing sitting governor. He also openly challenged Governor Okpebholo in an Instagram letter.

This public exchange led to an announcement by Apostle Kassy Chukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Digital Media, that Davido had been banned from performing in Edo State. However, this directive was swiftly and vehemently dismissed by Israel DMW, Davido’s logistics manager and an Edo native. Israel declared that no one could ban Davido from performing in Edo, emphasizing that Davido's mother hails from the state, making it his maternal home. He further criticized Apostle Kassy Chukwu, alleging him to be a “settler” from Ebonyi State who had become a “nuisance in Benin City” and was not speaking for the Edo people.