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

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