Nigerian music superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has made a direct public appeal to President Bola Tinubu to rein in supporters of the All Progressives Congress amid escalating tensions during the Osun State gubernatorial election. The artist, who has increasingly become vocal on political matters affecting his home state, took to his verified social media account on Saturday as election results were being sorted and announced across the southwestern state.
Davido’s intervention came in response to allegations that political thugs affiliated with the Osun State chapter of the APC had stormed GOF junction in Osogbo, the state capital, in an apparent attempt to disrupt the collation of results from Ward 4 and Ward 5. According to the musician’s account, the disruption appeared to be a reaction to unfavorable election outcomes for the ruling party. He alleged that the individuals involved were attempting to destroy ballot papers and boxes in a desperate bid to alter the electoral process.
In his pointed message to the president, Davido wrote that the APC operatives had recognized their impending defeat and were now resorting to destructive tactics. He called on residents of Osogbo to remain vigilant and protect their votes, warning that there appeared to be intentions to launch s in multiple locations. His message carried an urgent tone, suggesting that the situation on the ground required immediate intervention from the highest levels of government to prevent further escalation.
The allegations come at a critical juncture in what has been a closely watched electoral contest in Osun State, a region with significant political importance in Nigeria’s southwestern geopolitical zone. Osun has historically been a battleground state where multiple parties compete fiercely for control, and election day tensions are not uncommon. However, reports of ballot box snatching and the intimidation of security personnel represent a serious escalation that threatens the integrity of the democratic process.
Davido’s willingness to speak out publicly against his own party, given his family’s political connections, adds considerable weight to his allegations. His uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has been a prominent political figure in the state, and the musician himself has never shied away from political commentary, particularly when it concerns governance and electoral transparency in Osun. His large social media following ensures that such statements reach millions of Nigerians within minutes, putting additional public pressure on authorities to respond.
As vote counting continues and official results are gradually uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s result viewing portal, all eyes will be on how election officials and security agencies respond to these allegations of disruption and violence. Whether President Tinubu will publicly address the concerns raised by one of Nigeria’s most influential entertainers remains to be seen, but the incident underscores the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s electoral system and the vital role that public figures can play in demanding accountability and protecting democratic institutions.
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