Osun Election: ‘Prepare to Sign Your Uncle as Dancer’ — Uzodimma Fires Back at Davido

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has delivered a sharp response to Afrobeats superstar Davido, telling the singer to prepare to sign his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, as a dancer in his musical band after the upcoming Osun State governorship election. The exchange follows Davido’s appeal to an unnamed politician from Imo State, widely interpreted as Uzodimma, to allow a free and fair election in Osun and refrain from interference ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship poll.

Davido, who serves as the head of youth mobilisation for his uncle Governor Adeleke’s re-election campaign, addressed supporters on Wednesday urging calm and rejecting violence ahead of the poll. Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, Davido called on an unnamed “daddy from Imo State” to use his influence to promote peace rather than interfere in the electoral process. “I’ve heard rumours that there are moves to interfere in the Osun State election or to use the state as a political battleground to prove a point,” Davido said. “I do not present these claims as facts, but I appeal to you, sir, to use your influence to promote peace and allow the people of Osun to choose their candidates freely.” The singer invoked his family connection to Imo State through his wife, Chioma, to lend sincerity to his appeal. “Osun is ours, the future is ours, and let peace lead the way,” Davido urged residents.

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Uzodimma, who chairs the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Osun election, responded through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu. He dismissed Davido’s appeal as “pedestrian,” arguing that the singer should direct his message to Osun voters rather than to him. “It is rather pedestrian for Davido to direct such an appeal to the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum simply because his wife is from Imo State,” the statement read. “Instead, his appeal should be directed to the people of Osun State, who will ultimately decide the election’s outcome through their votes.”

Uzodimma also took aim at Governor Ademola Adeleke’s record, claiming dissatisfaction among Osun residents. “The reality is that Governor Ademola Adeleke has, in the opinion of many, failed woefully in the discharge of his responsibilities. This is why many Osun voters are determined to vote him out in the August 15, 2026, governorship election,” Uzodimma said. He claimed that signals from across the state indicated voters were ready to embrace “a new direction” under the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

In a biting personal jab, Uzodimma suggested Davido prepare his uncle for life after politics. “Rather than attempting to influence Governor Hope Uzodimma through emotional appeals, Davido should concentrate on helping his uncle prepare for life after office, as the people of Osun appear ready to cast their votes massively in favour of the APC candidate,” the statement read. “Perhaps, Davido should also begin making preparations to officially sign his uncle as a dancer in his musical band, because judging by the mood of the electorate, he may well be out of a political job after the August 15, 2026, governorship election.”

The exchange comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the Osun governorship election, where Governor Adeleke is seeking a second term under the Accord Party. The controversy follows recent actions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which froze bank accounts linked to the Osun State Government, and alleged arrests of Adeleke’s supporters by the police. The governorship election is scheduled to take place on August 15, with 14 candidates contesting the poll.

Osun Election: ‘Prepare to Sign Your Uncle as Dancer’ — Uzodimma Fires Back at Davido

Osun Account Freeze: Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising State Institutions Against Opposition

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the action as a “dangerous assault on democracy” that raises serious questions about the neutrality of institutions entrusted with upholding the rule of law. The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Thursday in Abuja, insisted that there can be no justification for such an action on the eve of a critical election. He warned that restricting access to the state’s principal operational account could disrupt governance, delay salary payments, impede essential public services, and create an atmosphere of intimidation that has no place in a democratic society.

The EFCC, however, has defended its decision, stating that the account freeze was triggered by suspicious movement of funds amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling of about N11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds, and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations. In a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency disclosed that it had been investigating the Osun State Government since March 2026 and that several officials, including the state’s Accountant-General, had been interviewed by investigators. The commission explained that the decision to place a Post-No-Debit order on the account was triggered by unusual fund movements detected from August 2, 2026. “These ongoing investigations of the state government would not have warranted any placement of Post No Debit order on its account but for the precipitate and unwarranted movement of funds from the accounts to different suspicious accounts since August 2, 2026,” the EFCC said. “The Commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved.” The EFCC insisted its action was not politically motivated despite the timing ahead of the Osun governorship election, stressing that it could not overlook financial infractions on account of the poll. “While the Commission is fully aware of the impending governorship election in Osun State, it has a responsibility to act in defence of the sanctity of the funds of the state. It will be uncharitable for the Commission to allow an excuse of an upcoming election to fold its arms to perform its legally-assigned functions,” the statement read.

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Atiku linked the development to what he called a pattern under the Tinubu administration in which opposition-controlled states have become consistent targets of coercive federal actions, citing the earlier withholding of Osun State’s statutory local government allocations. “Coming after the prolonged denial of Osun State’s statutory local government allocations, this latest action reinforces the disturbing impression that public institutions are being weaponised to punish political opponents rather than serve the Nigerian people,” Atiku said. He maintained that the restriction would affect residents more than political officeholders because state funds are required to pay salaries and provide essential public services. “Freezing the state’s allocation account is not merely an attack on the Osun State Government; it is a direct assault on the people of Osun State, whose salaries, essential public services and daily governance stand to suffer. The anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments,” he stated.

The Nigerian Bar Association has faulted the EFCC over the freezing of Osun State Government’s bank account, saying the anti-graft agency lacks the constitutional power to impose a blanket restriction on a state’s finances without due legal process. NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), warned that any directive restricting withdrawals from accounts belonging to a state government would effectively cripple governance and amount to an abuse of power. “No government agency or any person has the right or the power to restrict withdrawals from the account of any state because, first of all, the order has the effect of grounding the activities of a government,” Osigwe said. “If the EFCC knows that any particular account is being used for the purpose of fraud, it may be able to obtain a court order, but it cannot make a blanket order freezing the accounts of any state,” he added. “Such an order would be unconstitutional and also violate the powers of the EFCC and may actually amount to an abuse of power.” Similarly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, questioned the legality of the alleged no-debit restriction, insisting that the EFCC must first obtain a court order before freezing any account. He noted that Nigerian courts had consistently ruled that anti-graft agencies could not freeze accounts without judicial authorisation. Isiaka Olagunju (SAN) described the freezing of the bank account as a serious violation of the 1999 Constitution and contrary to the principles of federalism. However, Professor Damilola Olawuyi (SAN) defended the use of account freezing as a recognised preventive tool in tackling economic and financial crimes, provided it is exercised within the limits of the law. He explained that temporary restrictions on accounts had become an internationally recognised mechanism for disrupting illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorist financing. He, however, cautioned that such powers “should not be used as a cudgel to settle political scores”.

Atiku called on the EFCC to immediately reverse the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account. He urged all institutions involved in the conduct of the Osun governorship election to act with restraint, impartiality and fidelity to the Constitution. “The people of Osun State alone must determine the outcome of their election. No external force or institution of government should, by action or omission, cast a shadow over the credibility of that democratic choice,” he said. The former vice president also called on all opposition parties and every Nigerian committed to constitutional democracy to close ranks and resist what he described as the misuse of state institutions. “President Tinubu is leaving no one in doubt that he is determined to win elections at all costs. Democracy cannot coexist with the systematic weaponisation of state institutions against political opponents. I therefore call on all opposition parties and every Nigerian committed to constitutional democracy to close ranks and resist this dangerous drift before it is too late,” Atiku warned.

Osun Account Freeze: Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising State Institutions Against Opposition

Why I Rejected Tinubu, Buhari’s Offers to Join APC — Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has disclosed why he rejected separate invitations from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), revealing that the offers came with promises of political control of Ekiti State which he turned down. Fayose made the revelation on Tuesday while speaking with journalists, also using the opportunity to explain why he has continued to support the administration of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, despite remaining a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The former governor said his decision not to defect to the APC was based on personal conviction rather than political calculations, and that offers from some of the party’s top leaders, including Buhari and Tinubu, could not change his position.

Fayose explained that the attempts to bring him into the APC dated back several years, with one approach coming around the period former Governor Kayode Fayemi was preparing to return as governor of Ekiti State. According to him, Tinubu personally reached out and invited him to become a member of the APC, but he declined the invitation. He added that Buhari also made a similar appeal while serving as President, but he maintained the same position and refused to join the ruling party. The efforts did not end with phone conversations, as Fayose disclosed that he was later taken to meet the then National Chairman of the APC, where another attempt was made to convince him to defect. Speaking on the issue, Fayose said: “I was governor for seven and a half years; I never had peace. The state was governed in turmoil and confusion. Tinubu called me and told me to come and join APC. I said I won’t join. This happened five years ago when Fayemi was about to be governor. The President called me that I should come. I said I’m not coming. When Buhari was there, he told me I should come. I said I’m not coming.”

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Fayose revealed that he was promised political influence in Ekiti if he agreed to join the APC. According to him, he was told the political structure of the state would be left in his hands. However, he said such assurances did not influence his decision. “He said he would take me there. I said I’m not going. They took me to the office of the then National Chairman. They talked to me. I said I’m not going to work with Buhari. I’m very clear. They said they would leave the state for me. Don’t leave it. If they had left the state for me, I didn’t know Oyebanji would come,” Fayose recounted. The former governor’s stance on remaining in the PDP has been consistent over the years. In July 2025, he told Channels Television’s Politics Today that Tinubu had offered him a position, which he declined, saying, “Have you seen me taking appointment from the APC? Asiwaju asked me, ‘What would we give you?’ I said, ‘Nothing, sir.’ At 65, I’d rather be at home, being more responsible, doing other things that I need to do.” In October 2025, Fayose reiterated that he had no desire to return to public office after decades in politics, stating, “I’ve served well. Two-time governor, I’ve done well. Tomorrow will hold itself.”

Fayose also reflected on his years in office and the physical toll his political battles took on him. He admitted that losing political control of Ekiti after leaving office was a painful experience and that he fought hard during the political contest that followed. The former governor disclosed that the spinal problem he currently lives with was a consequence of the political events surrounding the 2018 Ekiti governorship election. “I wasn’t happy that the state was taken from me. I wasn’t happy at all. I fought. I was equally injured. All the problem I had with my spine was as a result of that election,” he said. Fayose has previously revealed that the injury to his spine resulted from an attack on him during the 2018 Ekiti governorship election, when policemen surrounded the Ekiti State Government House in an attempt to prevent him from attending a governorship rally. This necessitated two major surgical operations—one on his neck in February 2022 and another on his back in July 2022.

Despite his refusal to join the APC, Fayose has continued to support Governor Oyebanji’s administration, describing it as a positive development for Ekiti State. He noted that the passage of time had changed his outlook, and that Oyebanji’s leadership has brought stability and progress to the state. “But today, God who sees tomorrow has produced you for me,” Fayose said. His support for the governor has extended to public endorsements. In June 2026, Fayose reaffirmed his support for Oyebanji ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election, stating that he would not support the PDP candidate because of the faction that produced the party’s candidate. He also described Oyebanji as a leader who has united Ekiti across political divides, contrasting the present atmosphere with periods when political rivalry among leading figures created tension and division in the state. Fayose also revealed that he had no regrets supporting President Tinubu, describing him as a kinsman with capacity. He recalled informing Tinubu of “sinister moves” within the APC during Buhari’s presidency and noted that he had always been open about his admiration for Tinubu. “When your kinsman wants to be president and he has capacity, what should you do? You should fight him? You should throw him under the bus? I have been like this,” Fayose said in a previous interview.

Fayose was recently appointed Chairman of the Board of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) by President Tinubu. The appointment marked a shift from his earlier public position that he would not take up any role under the APC-led administration. Upon assuming the role, Fayose pledged to deploy his new office to attract electricity projects to rural communities in Ekiti State and across Nigeria. Speaking on the 2027 general elections, Fayose assessed the current state of opposition politics, declaring that Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, remains the only opposition figure with significant national traction capable of challenging the ruling APC.

Why I Rejected Tinubu, Buhari’s Offers to Join APC — Fayose