Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has alleged that influential political figures attempted to pressure him into deleting a social media post concerning the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Davido, who has openly supported his uncle and incumbent Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, claimed that the Senate President and business magnate Aliko Dangote were among those who contacted him amid the unfolding electoral process.
According to the singer, he was informed that the Senate President was attempting to reach the coalition centre while also contacting him directly over a post he had made about the election.
“I heard that the Senate President was trying to call the coalition center. He also called me to delete tweet. I refused. Dangote also called. I said I won’t delete till INEC declares my uncle as winner,” Davido said.
The allegation places the singer’s social media activity at the centre of the political drama surrounding the Osun election, where the outcome has attracted significant attention from political parties, supporters and prominent personalities.
Davido’s comments suggest that he regarded his social media platform as a channel through which he could express his position during the electoral process. Rather than remove the post, he said he chose to wait for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally announce the result.
The singer has been an outspoken supporter of Governor Adeleke, frequently using his considerable online following to campaign for and defend his uncle.
His latest claim has also highlighted the growing influence of celebrities and social media personalities in Nigeria’s political discourse. With millions of followers across various platforms, statements from prominent entertainers can quickly shape public conversations, influence narratives and intensify political debates.
Election tension and competing interests
The Osun governorship election has generated intense political interest, with supporters of the major political parties closely monitoring the collation and announcement of results.
In such circumstances, statements made before the electoral umpire’s official declaration can become highly sensitive, particularly when they appear to suggest that a candidate has already won.
Davido’s reported refusal to delete his post, therefore, reflects the broader tension that often surrounds election result collation in Nigeria. Political actors, candidates, supporters and observers frequently turn to social media to share results, make claims and respond to developments as they emerge from polling units and collation centres.
However, only INEC is constitutionally empowered to declare the official result of a governorship election.
Davido’s political involvement
Davido’s involvement in Nigerian politics is not new. Beyond his music career, the singer has repeatedly expressed strong views on governance and elections and has participated in political conversations involving members of his family and other public figures.
His relationship with Governor Ademola Adeleke has also given his political interventions an added personal dimension. The governor is Davido’s uncle, while the Adeleke family has maintained a strong presence in Osun State politics.
The singer’s latest statement is consequently likely to generate further debate over the role of celebrities in elections, the boundaries of political expression and the influence of powerful individuals during sensitive electoral periods.
For now, the central issue remains the official outcome of the election and the declaration by INEC. Until the electoral commission announces the final result, claims made by candidates, supporters, celebrities or political actors remain separate from the legally recognised result of the election.
Davido’s account, if independently corroborated, could also raise questions about the level of political pressure surrounding the electoral process and the extent to which prominent individuals attempted to influence public narratives while results were being collated.
DReportorial Media will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Osun election and report verified updates as they emerge.
