Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo State, has addressed Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over allegations that an unnamed politician from Imo State planned to interfere in the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Earlier, it reported that Davido, who is the head of the youth mobilisation team for the re-election campaign of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, had urged the politician to allow a peaceful, free and fair election.
The singer did not name the individual but alleged that he wanted to use the poll as a political battleground to show his influence.
He is the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the election, Uzodimma, who responded in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu.
He said Davido should address his appeal to the Osun electorate who would determine the outcome of the election and not the governor.
Uzodimma said the singer’s remarks were misplaced, saying his family connection to Imo State did not warrant the appeal to the governor.
“Davido’s appeal to the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum is quite pedestrian considering that his wife is from Imo State.
“Instead, he should appeal to the people of Osun State, who will ultimately decide the outcome of the election through their votes.”
The governor insisted he had always been for a peaceful and credible electoral process.
“The governor of Imo State, who is also the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for the governorship election in Osun State has been consistent in preaching peace and has reiterated his commitment to a peaceful, free and credible election,” the statement added.
Uzodimma said the APC would continue to canvass support for its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, by reaching out to the people across the state.
Uzodimma Faults Adeleke’s Performance
The Imo governor also lambasted Adeleke’s administration, saying the Osun governor had not kept the promises made to residents.
He said that the growing dissatisfaction with the administration would lead to a victory for the APC candidate.
“The reality is that Governor Ademola Adeleke has, in the opinion of many, woefully failed in the discharge of his responsibilities”, Uzodimma said.
“This is why many Osun voters are determined to vote him out in the August 15, 2026 governorship elections.”
He said he had heard from voters across the state that they were ready for a change in leadership.
All over Osun State, the signals are clear. “There is increasing evidence that a great many voters have rejected the current administration and are ready to accept a new direction,” he added.
The governor did not give specific polling figures or other evidence to support his assessment of voters’ preferences.
Uzodimma further advised Davido to concentrate on preparing Adeleke for life outside government rather than making what he described as emotional appeals.
“Davido should rather than trying to influence Governor Hope Uzodimma with emotional appeals, focus on helping his uncle prepare for life after office as the people of Osun seem prepared to vote massively for the APC candidate,” he said.
The governor also mocked Adeleke’s well-publicized love of dancing, inviting Davido to join his music group if he lost the election.
“Maybe Davido should also start making plans to formally sign his uncle as a dancer in his musical band because going by the mood of the electorate, he may as well be out of a political job after the August 15, 2026 governorship election,” the statement added.