Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has rejected calls for him to apologise to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over his social media post displaying the governor’s alleged West African Examinations Council result.
Davido, who insisted that he had done nothing wrong, said he only brought the academic record of the Edo governor to the attention of residents of the state.
The singer made his position known in an exclusive interview with News Central on Tuesday in Osun State, where he defended his decision to share the alleged result.
“I’m not going to apologise. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was just telling people of the state the results their governor has,” Davido said.
The controversy followed comments by Okpebholo during political activities ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The Edo governor had criticised Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, over his penchant for dancing, questioning his leadership style while campaigning for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.
Okpebholo had said, “Before somebody signs paper, he will dance. Are you not tired? For four years, this man has been dancing. Before he takes breakfast, before he drinks tea, he will dance.”
Davido, who is Adeleke’s nephew and had actively campaigned for his uncle during the election, subsequently shared what appeared to be Okpebholo’s WAEC result on his Instagram Story.
The post, which had no accompanying caption, generated reactions on social media, with some critics describing the action as inappropriate and disrespectful.
Responding to calls for an apology, Davido said Okpebholo had no business leaving Edo State to attack his uncle during the Osun election campaign.
“Yes, and you came, you left your state, you came to another state. You came in and then started talking that my uncle is a dancer; he is not serious,” he said.
Davido further criticised Okpebholo’s political credentials, saying, “The road to your Government House is not done. My uncle is not serious. First of all, you were not even elected; you were selected.”
The singer also questioned the Edo governor’s understanding of electoral victory, declaring, “You don’t know what it means to win an election. That’s why you could go there and talk.”
Davido also expressed sympathy for Okpebholo’s children, saying he felt bad that their father had engaged in public criticism of a sitting governor.
“I feel so bad for his kids. Because you see what my dad is doing. Do you understand? Yeah, you’re abusing a sitting governor in his own state,” he said.
He also mocked Okpebholo over his alleged stay in a hotel, saying, “A whole governor staying in a hotel, walking around like…”
Davido, however, warned that the political confrontation could continue when the time comes for Okpebholo to seek another term in office.
“In fact, finish your three years, we’ll visit you when it’s time for you to get re-elected,” he said.
The controversy had earlier drawn a response from an Osun-based political figure, Tugbiyele, who urged Davido to apologise to Okpebholo.
Tugbiyele argued that while the alleged WAEC result might not have been impressive, Davido should not have used it to ridicule the governor.
“The result is not good enough, but it’s possible. The governor did a resit. We are not aware of that, but I think Davido, David Adeleke’s publication is inappropriate,” he said.
He also argued that Adeleke could have responded to Okpebholo through official channels rather than allowing Davido to engage the Edo governor personally.
Appealing directly to the singer, Tugbiyele said, “Davido, David Adeleke, please, as a proper Yoruba, please apologise to Governor Okpebholo. God bless you, David. God bless Nigeria.”
