The political exchanges ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election intensified on Thursday as Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, responded to Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over comments the singer made during a campaign rally in Osogbo.
Davido, who serves as the head of the youth mobilisation team for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign, had on Wednesday urged an unnamed politician from Imo State to allow the people of Osun to decide their next governor without interference.
Speaking before supporters in Osogbo, the singer alleged that he had received information suggesting that the politician intended to influence the outcome of the election and appealed for a peaceful, free and credible poll.
Although Davido did not mention anyone by name, Uzodimma, who chairs the All Progressives Congress National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, said the comments were directed at him.
In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, the Imo governor said Davido should instead appeal to the people of Osun, insisting that they alone would determine the outcome of the election.
“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. Instead, his appeal should be directed to the people of Osun State, who will ultimately decide the election’s outcome through their votes,” the statement read.
Uzodimma also maintained that he had consistently advocated a peaceful, free and credible election, adding that the APC remained focused on campaigning for its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
The governor further claimed that many residents of Osun were dissatisfied with the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke and were prepared to vote for a new government.
“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.
In a sharp remark directed at the award-winning musician, Uzodimma advised Davido to prepare for life after the election by employing his uncle if he loses his re-election bid.
“Rather than attempting to influence Governor Hope Uzodimma through emotional appeals, Davido should concentrate on helping his uncle prepare for life after office, as the people of Osun appear ready to cast their votes massively in favour of the APC candidate.
“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, 2026, governorship election,” the statement added.
The latest war of words comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
On Wednesday, Davido, while addressing supporters at a campaign event in Osogbo, appealed for a peaceful electoral process and warned against any external interference in the election, urging that Osun people should be allowed to decide their next governor through the ballot.
The exchange also comes amid heightened political tension in the state following the freezing of Osun State Government accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and allegations by the Adeleke campaign of harassment and arrests of some of its supporters by security agencies.