OSOGBO, Osun State — Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has spoken about his role in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, the influence of social media on the contest and his decision not to apologise to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo over comments he made during the campaign.
In an exclusive interview with News Central’s Mercy Babajide, following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election, Davido described the election as one that felt more like a presidential contest, citing the intensity of the campaign, alleged threats, killings, court cases and other developments surrounding the election .
Davido said he returned from Atlanta for the final rallies with serious concerns about his safety.
“I looked at my twins and said, ‘God, please let this not be the last time I see them.'”
The singer said his family remained confident that Governor Adeleke would retain his seat, pointing to what he described as visible infrastructure projects, regular salary payments and public support for the administration.
According to Davido, the political atmosphere changed as the opposition intensified its efforts to defeat the incumbent.
Social Media and the Election
Davido said social media played a significant role in the election, particularly in tracking the results and communicating directly with voters.
He said his combined following across social media platforms gives him a reach of almost 70 million people and that he closely monitored the election process, as he did during the 2022 Osun governorship election.
According to him, results from polling units were being uploaded at regular intervals, allowing him and others to monitor the emerging figures. Davido said he became increasingly vocal when Governor Adeleke’s lead reached what he described as between 60,000 and 70,000 votes, claiming there were attempts to manipulate the process.
He also alleged that the opposition spent ₦110 billion on the election, saying the figure was provided to him by an insider who allegedly tracked the movement of funds. The claim has not been independently established by The Credibility News.
Davido, however, maintained that his uncle’s political camp did not spend money on election day, arguing that the victory was driven largely by voter support. He said he received messages from some APC supporters and voters who allegedly collected money from the opposition but still voted for Adeleke. For Davido, the development demonstrated that financial inducement does not necessarily guarantee electoral victory.
No Interest in Politics — For Now
The singer was also asked about calls for him to enter politics and whether he would consider contesting for political office. While acknowledging that celebrities in other countries have successfully transitioned into politics, Davido said he currently has no intention of contesting under Nigeria’s existing political system.
“With this system? I mean, my own vexing… no be me dey run, see as I dey tweet. I can’t even do this with this system, the high blood pressure that… How can you wake up in the morning knowing that the people want you, and you can get rigged out? It cannot happen anywhere else in the world,” he stated .
“I’m comfortable in my current… My job? Or why am I famous? Music, yeah. I defeated 17 governors with all their power, with all their immunity, with all their escort commander, with all their DSS, with all their billions. I defeated them with what? Just a phone,” Davido asserted .
On the 2027 presidential election, Davido said he currently has no preferred candidate whom he is prepared to support. He noted that although his uncle has declared support for the incumbent president, his own position is different. “I’m not prepared to support anybody,” he said .
Davido’s Plans for Osun Sports and Why Davido Won’t Apologise to Edo Governor
Davido also spoke about his responsibilities as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Commission, a position he said he assumed in December 2025. He outlined plans to complete the state stadium, improve the state’s men’s and women’s football teams and establish a multi-sport recreational centre.
The proposed facility, according to Davido, would include football pitches, swimming pools, tennis courts, paddle facilities and other sporting amenities. He said the broader objective is to provide young people with constructive opportunities and reduce their vulnerability to electoral violence, political manipulation and vote-buying.
One of the strongest moments of the interview came when Davido was asked about his public disagreement with Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Okpebholo had criticised Governor Adeleke during the Osun campaign, mocking his dancing and questioning his leadership style . He had said, “Before somebody signs paper, he will dance. Are you not tired? For four years this man has been dancing. Before he takes breakfast, before he drinks tea, he will dance” .
Davido subsequently posted what appeared to be Okpebholo’s WAEC result on his Instagram Story. The document circulated widely online and purportedly showed several low grades, including D7 in some subjects . The post, which had no caption, sparked reactions on social media, with some critics describing it as inappropriate .
Asked whether he would apologise, Davido rejected the suggestion.
“I’m not going to apologise. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was just telling people of the state the results their governor has” .
He accused Okpebholo of leaving Edo State to interfere in the Osun election and repeated his criticism of the governor’s electoral mandate.
“You left your state, came to another state to rig” .
“First of all, you were not even elected; you were selected,” he said, adding: “You don’t know what it means to win an election” .
Davido also criticised comments about his uncle, Governor Adeleke, and questioned the state of infrastructure in Edo State, saying the road to the Government House was not constructed .
“You don’t know what it is to win an election… Finish your three years. We’ll visit you when it’s time for you to get re-elected,” he said .
The singer also said he felt bad for Okpebholo’s children, adding: “You are abusing a sitting governor in his own state” .
The allegations and criticisms are Davido’s views and have not been independently established by The Credibility News.
A Message to Nigerian Youths
Davido concluded by urging Nigerian youths to remain politically engaged and refuse to believe that their votes and voices do not matter.
“It’s possible to beat the system… Don’t let anybody give you the idea that our voices don’t matter, because they actually do.”
He also stressed the importance of political unity, warning that a fragmented opposition could struggle to mount an effective challenge in future national elections.
The interview highlights the increasingly visible role of entertainers and social-media personalities in Nigerian political campaigns, while also raising broader questions about the influence of digital platforms, celebrity political engagement, electoral accountability and the relationship between young voters and political power.
Credit: News Central. Monitored and reported by Credibility News.
