Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has responded to Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, following the singer’s appeal for a peaceful August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The governor also distanced himself from comments made by his aide, Ambrose Nwogwugwu, insisting that the remarks did not reflect his personal position or that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council.
Davido, who is related to Uzodimma by marriage, had earlier appealed to the governor, in his capacity as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and the APC Osun Governorship Campaign Council, to use his influence to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election in Osun State.
However, Nwogwugwu had described the singer’s appeal as “emotional blackmail”, urging him to direct his message to Osun voters instead.
Reacting through a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku, Governor Uzodimma clarified that he never authorised anyone to respond to Davido on his behalf.
The governor also reaffirmed his relationship with the award-winning musician.
“Davido remains my son,” Uzodimma said, while noting that although the singer would be present in Osun during the election period, he is not a registered voter in the state.
Uzodimma explained that his own presence in Osun would be strictly in his capacity as a leader of the APC, supporting the party’s governorship candidate and participating in legitimate campaign activities.
According to him, it is normal in a democracy for party leaders to campaign for their candidates in states where elections are taking place, regardless of whether they are eligible to vote there.
The governor reiterated that the APC remains committed to conducting a peaceful, credible, free and fair governorship election.
He added that the party would continue to canvass support for its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, through lawful democratic means.
“My respect for him and the people of Osun State is not negotiable,” Uzodimma stated.
He urged Davido, Osun residents and members of the public to disregard the comments made by his aide, stressing that they were personal opinions and should not be interpreted as the official position of either the governor or the APC campaign council.
According to Uzodimma, the clarification became necessary to prevent what he described as attempts by “mischief makers” to misrepresent the situation and create unnecessary tension ahead of the governorship election.
