Adeleke, Davido Face Backlash Over Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Bid

Adeleke, Davido Face Backlash Over Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Bid

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and his nephew, Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, have come under criticism on social media following renewed attention to the governor’s reported support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

The controversy centres on the perceived contradiction between Davido’s earlier opposition to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State and his uncle’s subsequent political alignment with Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The backlash intensified after Davido’s earlier social media comments criticising APC supporters in Osun resurfaced, prompting some Nigerians to question whether the Adeleke family was applying different political standards at the state and federal levels.

During the build-up to the August 2026 Osun governorship election, Davido reportedly declared that anybody supporting the APC in the state was an “enemy of progress”. The singer had openly campaigned for his uncle, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party.

Adeleke subsequently won re-election, while his reported support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition has reopened debate about the political positions previously expressed by the governor and his nephew.

The governor’s reported involvement in Tinubu’s re-election campaign has attracted attention because of the fierce political contest between the Accord Party and the APC during the Osun governorship election.

Reports published on October 15 indicated that Adeleke had been named among the coordinators of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign structure in Osun State. The development prompted renewed scrutiny of his political relationship with the president.

Adeleke had previously explained that his support for Tinubu was based partly on their shared Yoruba background and his desire to encourage the president to continue federal infrastructure projects in the South-West.

In an interview reported in August, the governor said his support was not the result of a prior agreement with the president. He also defended his engagement with Tinubu as an opportunity to discuss the development of Osun State.

The explanation has not ended the debate, with critics questioning how the governor’s current position aligns with the political messaging used to mobilise support for his re-election.

Reactions circulating on social media included accusations of political inconsistency, with some users arguing that the family had opposed the APC in Osun while appearing willing to support the party at the national level.

One commenter argued that supporters who stood behind Adeleke during the governorship contest deserved an explanation for the governor’s subsequent political alignment.

Another questioned the apparent difference between Davido’s earlier criticism of APC supporters in Osun and his uncle’s reported backing of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Other commenters, however, framed the development as a reflection of the shifting alliances that characterise Nigerian politics, arguing that politicians frequently cooperate with former opponents when their interests converge.

The reactions reflect competing views about political loyalty, the expectations of supporters and the freedom of elected officials to make strategic decisions after an election.

Davido’s role in the controversy stems from his outspoken support for his uncle during the Osun governorship campaign. The singer had publicly criticised the APC and defended Adeleke’s administration, making his earlier posts a focal point of the latest debate.

With his uncle now associated with Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign, some social media users have called on the musician to clarify his position.

However, the criticism directed at Davido is largely linked to his previous public statements and his relationship with the governor. It should not be taken as evidence that the singer has changed his political position or endorsed Tinubu’s re-election.

The dispute highlights the challenges political figures may face when their alliances change after elections, particularly when their supporters have been mobilised around strong opposition to a rival party.

For Adeleke, the debate raises questions about how his support for Tinubu will be received by voters who backed him on the Accord Party platform.

For Davido, the resurfacing of his earlier comments illustrates how statements made during election campaigns can continue to shape public perceptions long after the polls have closed.

The development also comes amid growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, when parties and political figures are expected to pursue alliances to strengthen their electoral prospects.

Ultimately, whether the controversy will affect the Adeleke family’s political standing in Osun remains uncertain. The online backlash, however, has brought the relationship between political loyalty, electoral promises and shifting alliances back into public debate.

The criticism quoted in this report represents the views of social media users, not established findings of wrongdoing. The available information does not establish that Adeleke or Davido personally insulted Osun voters or independently verify claims that people died specifically because of their political support for the governor.

 

Adeleke, Davido Face Backlash Over Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election Bid