Nigerian Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has triggered intense debate online after claiming that military personnel are actively trying to prevent him from entering Osun State ahead of the governorship election.
The multi-award-winning singer, who is the nephew of the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, has been heavily involved in campaigning for his uncle’s re-election bid. He raised the alarm on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account in the early hours of Saturday morning, drawing immediate attention from fans and political commentators alike.
Davido Asserts Right to Free Movement
In his social media post, Davido insisted that he would not be intimidated, emphasizing his constitutional rights as a Nigerian citizen. He wrote: “I’ve been reliably informed that soldiers are trying to prevent me from entering Osun tomorrow, this won’t happen, every citizen of Nigeria has the right to movement at any point of time.”
The singer’s uncle is currently contesting the governorship seat under the Accord Party, facing a competitive field of candidates that includes Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Standard Election Security or Targeted Treatment?
While Davido’s supporters expressed concern over the alleged blockade, critics quickly pointed out that the restriction on his movement aligns with official security measures. The Nigeria Police Force had previously announced a statewide restriction on movement, effective from midnight on Friday until 6:00 PM on Saturday, to maintain law and order during the election.
Reacting to the singer’s claims, former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad characterized Davido’s post as unnecessary drama. Addressing the singer directly on X, Ahmad wrote, “You are just dramatic, @davido,” before explaining that travel restrictions are standard procedure during major Nigerian elections and are not unique to Osun State or any individual.
Public opinion remains divided. While some social media users view the situation as a routine enforcement of election-day security laws, others argue that the high-profile singer may be facing undue scrutiny due to his active role in the opposition’s campaign.