Daud Olatunji
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has dismissed an appeal by Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, urging him not to interfere in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, saying the singer should direct his concerns to the electorate instead.
Uzodimma, who chairs the All Progressives Congress National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, also took a swipe at Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing his administration as a failure and claiming the governor would be voted out of office.
The exchange followed Davido’s remarks on Wednesday during a campaign event for the Accord Party in Osogbo, where the singer alleged there were rumours of plans by Uzodimma to interfere in the election.
Davido appealed for a peaceful poll, urging that Osun residents should be allowed to freely choose their preferred candidate.
Responding in a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, Uzodimma said the appeal was “misplaced.”
“It is rather pedestrian for Davido to direct such an appeal to the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum simply because his wife is from Imo State,” the statement read.
“Instead, his appeal should be directed to the people of Osun State, who are the ones that will ultimately decide the outcome of the election through their votes.”
The Imo governor maintained that the APC remained committed to ensuring a peaceful, free and credible election in the state.
He said the party would continue to canvass support for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.
According to him, “The Governor of Imo State, who also serves as the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for the Osun State Governorship Election, has consistently preached peace and reaffirmed his commitment to a peaceful, free and credible election.
“He has repeatedly maintained that the APC will continue to appeal to the conscience of the Osun electorate to support and elect the party’s candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.”
Uzodimma further alleged that many residents of Osun had become dissatisfied with the administration of Governor Adeleke and were prepared to vote for the APC in the election.
He urged Davido to focus on supporting his uncle after the election rather than making what he described as emotional appeals.
“The reality is that Governor Ademola Adeleke has, in the opinion of many, failed woefully in the discharge of his responsibilities. This is why many Osun voters are determined to vote him out in the August 15, 2026 governorship election,” he said.
“The signals emerging from across Osun State are clear. There is a growing indication that a significant number of voters have rejected the current administration and are prepared to embrace a new direction.
“Rather than attempting to influence Governor Hope Uzodimma through emotional appeals, Davido should concentrate on helping his uncle prepare for life after office.
“Perhaps, Davido should also begin making preparations to officially sign his uncle as a dancer in his musical band because, judging by the mood of the electorate, he may well be out of a political job after the August 15 governorship election.”
The war of words comes amid heightened political tension ahead of the Osun governorship election, with both the APC and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party intensifying campaigns across the state.
Opposition parties and civil society organisations have repeatedly called on political actors to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
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