Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political space with a bold declaration: if the upcoming Osun State governorship election is rigged, he will personally reach out to United States President Donald Trump and take his protest to the White House. The award-winning singer made the explosive remarks during a livestream session with comedian and content creator Carter Efe, where he opened up about his political aspirations, his distrust in Nigeria’s electoral system, and his determination to protect the integrity of the election in his home state. The Osun State gubernatorial election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, and Davido’s uncle, incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, is seeking a second term in office. The election is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched off-cycle polls in Nigeria, with tensions rising between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the livestream, Davido did not hold back on his political ambitions. He told his audience that while he has the popularity and grassroots support to win any election in Nigeria, he would only consider running for office when the system guarantees transparency. In his words, “Until there’s transparency, then I can go ahead with politics because nobody can beat me in any election. If there’s a free and fair election, let everybody come out to vote, I will win. But because of the system, there’s no transparency; they write the results.” The singer went even further, claiming that under a truly credible process, he could even win the Nigerian presidential election. However, he stressed that he has “no time” for politics under the current system, which he believes is plagued by manipulated results. “In a free and fair election, I can win the presidential election in Nigeria,” he said, adding, “I will do something to you if you cheat me.”
Turning his attention to the Osun governorship race, Davido said he would be watching closely to see how the electoral process unfolds, and he warned that any attempt to compromise the poll would not go unanswered. “I want to see what they are going to do in Osun. We are waiting,” he stated. The singer then dropped his most controversial line yet: if he is dissatisfied with the conduct of the election, he will escalate his concerns globally—starting with the President of the United States. “I’ll tag Trump, I’ll call Trump, everybody. If they still don’t see anything, I’ll go in front of the White House and say, ‘Help us.’ They think it’s a joke,” Davido declared. He added with confidence, “Trump will just say, ‘I think there’s a Nigerian artiste sending me a message. Don’t worry, my message will be delivered.'” He ended his remarks with a direct plea to electoral authorities and political actors: “Leave Osun alone oo. Leave it.”
READ ALSO:
- Customs Intercepts 140 Pump-Action Rifles, Cannabis-Infused Products Worth ₦373.8 Million at Tin Can Port
- NMDPRA Unveils Sweeping Draft Rules to Ban Fuel Price-Fixing, Artificial Scarcity
- Troops Arrest Fulani Youth Leader Over Deadly Kaduna Community Attack
Davido’s comments have ignited a firestorm of debate across Nigerian social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with reactions falling into distinct camps. Supporters applauded his courage and willingness to use his global platform to demand electoral transparency, and many young Nigerians echoed his frustration with the country’s history of disputed elections. Critics, however, mocked the idea of appealing to a foreign leader over a state-level election, with some questioning the effectiveness of such a move. The controversy also drew a response from political figures; an aide to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma publicly criticized Davido’s remarks, describing them as misplaced and an unnecessary internationalisation of Nigeria’s internal affairs.
Davido has been visibly active in campaigning for his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking re-election under the PDP banner, as the Adeleke family is one of the most prominent political dynasties in Osun State, and Davido has repeatedly used his influence to rally support for his uncle’s administration. The singer has also consistently called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process. His latest warning, however, marks a significant escalation in his rhetoric, raising questions about what role he might play if the election results are contested.
The Osun State governorship election is being closely monitored by political analysts and civil society groups, with key issues including electoral credibility following controversies in past off-cycle elections, security concerns about political thuggery and voter intimidation, and economic governance as Osun faces challenges in infrastructure, health, and education. While INEC has assured the public of its commitment to a transparent process, Davido’s warning reflects the deep-seated distrust many Nigerians still hold toward the electoral system.
While the singer continues to dominate global music charts, he made it clear that his entry into politics will only happen when he is confident that his votes will count. “Until there’s transparency, then I can go ahead with politics,” he reiterated. For now, all eyes are on August 15, as Davido and millions of Nigerians watch to see whether the Osun election will be a model of democratic integrity—or another flashpoint for controversy.