Edo Government Fires Back at Davido Over Trump Appeal on Osun Election

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government has rejected Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido’s appeal to US President Donald Trump to pay attention to the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

The government described the singer’s intervention as misplaced, insisting that Nigeria’s electoral matters should be handled through the country’s democratic institutions rather than by foreign leaders.

Edo Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, made the position known on Thursday during a press briefing in Benin City.

His comments came after Davido called on Trump and the international community to monitor the August 15 Osun governorship election, citing concerns over possible violence, intimidation and disruption of the voting process.

Davido had also urged international stakeholders to encourage Nigerian authorities to protect voters and ensure that the outcome of the election reflects the wishes of the electorate.

Edo commissioner challenges Davido’s political intervention

Afegbua strongly disagreed with the singer’s position, questioning his decision to seek the intervention of the US president in a Nigerian election.

The commissioner advised Davido to concentrate on his music career instead of seeking international intervention in Nigeria’s electoral affairs.

He described the singer’s appeal as “arrant nonsense” and said Nigerians should rely on their own institutions to address electoral concerns.

Afegbua argued that political disagreements and electoral disputes should be resolved through established democratic and legal channels.

Edo defends Okpebholo’s Osun campaign

The commissioner also defended Governor Monday Okpebholo’s decision to campaign for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate ahead of the Osun election.

According to Afegbua, the Edo governor, as a member of the APC, has the right to campaign for his party’s candidate.

He dismissed suggestions that Okpebholo’s involvement in the Osun election was inappropriate, arguing that political parties and their members are expected to support candidates contesting elections under their platform.

Commissioner addresses controversy over Okpebholo’s qualifications

The briefing also touched on claims circulating on social media concerning Governor Okpebholo’s academic qualifications.

Afegbua dismissed the documents being circulated online as fake, saying he had seen what he described as the governor’s authentic academic records.

He maintained that the records showed that Okpebholo obtained a Master’s degree.

The commissioner also brought Davido and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke into the discussion, making comments about their respective backgrounds while defending the Edo governor.

Afegbua backs APC ahead of Saturday’s poll

With the Osun election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, Afegbua urged voters to support candidates he described as serious-minded and capable of providing effective leadership.

He expressed confidence in the chances of the APC candidate and called on party members to remain committed to their political platform.

The commissioner maintained that governance should be treated as a serious responsibility and again criticised Davido’s decision to seek Trump’s attention over the election.

The exchange adds another political dimension to the build-up to the Osun governorship election, with concerns over electoral security, political campaigning and the role of public figures continuing to generate debate ahead of voting.

For Edo, the controversy has also brought the Okpebholo administration into the national political conversation as the governor campaigns for his party outside the state.