Afrobeat megastar David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has been banned from performing in Edo State following a highly publicized dispute with the state governor, Monday Okpebholo. The conflict between the award-winning musician and the politician erupted over political rivalry surrounding the recently concluded Osun State gubernatorial election.
How the Clash Began
The feud traces back to the campaign trail in Osun State, where Governor Okpebholo, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), openly criticized the incumbent Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is also Davido’s uncle. Okpebholo claimed that Governor Adeleke’s frequent dancing was a major distraction, preventing him from focusing on effective governance.
In a swift defense of his uncle, Davido retaliated on Instagram by mocking Governor Okpebholo’s academic background, sharing an image purported to be the governor’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results with his millions of followers.
Davido Refuses to Back Down
Following Governor Adeleke’s electoral triumph, Davido made it clear that he has no regrets. Speaking in an interview with News Central, the singer vowed never to apologize to Governor Okpebholo. He insisted that the Edo State leader had no right to attack a performing governor whose governance, he asserted, is far superior to Okpebholo’s.
Adding fuel to the fire, Davido also shared an open letter on his social media page, challenging the Edo State Governor to brace himself for future confrontations. The fallout from this political spat has now hit the entertainment sector, resulting in the performance ban of one of Africa’s biggest musical acts in Edo State.