Insists he never authorised anyone to respond to the singer’s appeal, says his role in Osun is strictly as APC campaign council chairman.
By Princely Onyenwe | News Desk
ABUJA, Nigeria — Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, declaring that he has no intention of influencing the outcome of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election and distancing himself from comments made in response to the singer’s public appeal.
The Governor, who chairs both the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State Governorship Campaign Council, said he never authorised anyone to respond to Davido or issue statements on his behalf, insisting that views credited to Ambrose Nwogwugwu were personal opinions that neither represent him nor the APC campaign council.
Uzodinma’s clarification came amid growing political debate after Davido reportedly appealed to him during a media briefing to use his position as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Chairman of the APC Osun State Governorship Campaign Council to ensure peace during the August 15 governorship election in Osun State. The appeal quickly gained traction across social media and political circles, triggering varied reactions.
Responding through a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku, the Governor said Davido remains “his son” and deserves his respect, stressing that there is no personal dispute between them.
“I am not an Osun voter,” the Governor declared, explaining that his assignment in the South-West state is strictly political and limited to mobilising support for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji. He maintained that campaigning for a party’s candidate is a legitimate democratic responsibility and should not be mistaken for interference in the electoral process.
Uzodinma emphasised that the APC remains committed to peaceful, credible, free and fair elections, noting that party leaders routinely travel across the country to campaign for their candidates without participating as voters in those elections.
The Governor further urged Davido, the people of Osun State and the wider public to disregard unofficial comments attributed to individuals claiming to speak for him, saying the clarification became necessary to prevent misinformation and stop attempts to misrepresent his position ahead of the keenly contested governorship poll.
The controversy has nevertheless sparked fresh political conversations nationwide, with questions emerging in political and media circles over why Governor Uzodimma was specifically mentioned in Davido’s public appeal despite no public allegation that he intended to influence the conduct of the election beyond his recognised role as Chairman of the APC Osun State Governorship Campaign Council.
The development has also prompted debate over whether the singer made the appeal solely as a concerned relative of Governor Ademola Adeleke or as a public figure expressing his personal views.
As political activities intensify ahead of the August 15 election, observers say the exchange underscores the heightened political atmosphere surrounding the Osun governorship race, with major political actors continuing to emphasise the need for a peaceful, credible and transparent democratic process.
As of the time of filing this report, Davido had not publicly responded to the Imo State Government’s clarification.
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