“We Don’t Want to See You in Edo Again” — Gov Okpebholo’s Aide Declares War on Davido
The Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Apostle Kassy Chukwu, has declared that Nigerian Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is no longer welcome to perform in Edo State for the remainder of the governor’s tenure. The warning comes amid an escalating public feud between the singer and the governor, triggered by Davido’s involvement in the recent Osun State governorship election and his refusal to apologise for mocking the governor’s academic credentials.
Chukwu made the declaration in a video shared on YouTube by Peniel TV International, Benin City, on Thursday, where he announced that Davido had been “banned” from staging performances anywhere in Edo State. “You have been banned from coming to Edo State to perform. We don’t want to see you in Edo again,” Chukwu said in the video. The governor’s aide accused the singer of making disrespectful remarks about Governor Okpebholo and his family, maintaining that Davido would not be welcome in the state for the remaining years of the administration.
Chukwu also claimed that some youths in Edo were angered by Davido’s comments and warned that the singer could face a hostile reception if he returned to the state, including through the airport. “Edo youths are angry. They said if they catch you again, nobody should bring Davido to come and perform in any place again in Edo State,” Chukwu said. In more graphic terms, the aide stated, “If we catch you, if we see you for airports, go tell boys make them use slap take remove your teeth for you.”
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The dispute traces back to the build-up to the August 15 Osun State governorship election, in which Governor Okpebholo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, publicly criticised Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s uncle, while campaigning in the state. Okpebholo had questioned Adeleke’s leadership style, specifically mocking his frequent dancing. “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,” Okpebholo had said.
Davido, who had been actively involved in his uncle’s re-election campaign, responded by sharing what appeared to be Governor Okpebholo’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result on his Instagram Story. The purported result showed several grades, including D7 in Commerce, Economics, English Language and Christian Religious Knowledge, E8 in Government and C5 in Mathematics. The authenticity of the document has not been independently established.
The singer later defended his decision during an interview with News Central, insisting that he had no reason to apologise. “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. He also questioned why Governor Okpebholo had travelled from Edo to Osun to attack his uncle during the election campaign, stating, “First of all, you were not even elected; you were selected. You don’t know what it means to win an election.” Davido further expressed concern for the governor’s children, saying, “I feel so bad for his kids.”
Chukwu, while defending the governor, accused Davido of crossing the line with his comments and social media activity. He also criticised the singer’s associate, Israel DMW, whom he blamed for allegedly encouraging Davido to criticise the governor. The aide further pushed back on the authenticity of the shared document, describing it as allegedly manipulated, and cautioned Davido against making similar posts targeting the governor in the future.
It was not immediately clear whether the statement represented an official position of the Edo State Government or was a personal response by the governor’s aide. The video of Chukwu’s comments has since circulated widely online, adding fresh attention to the ongoing back-and-forth between the singer and the Edo State government, with no indication yet that either side intends to de-escalate the dispute.