Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has disclosed that he received calls from Senate President Godswill Akpabio and businessman Aliko Dangote during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, with the singer claiming that he was asked to remove one of his posts about the election.
Davido made the disclosure while discussing his involvement in the election and the intense political atmosphere surrounding the contest.
The singer had been particularly vocal throughout the electoral process, using his social media platforms to share updates, raise concerns and comment on developments as voting and the subsequent collation of results progressed.
According to Davido, the pressure became more intense as the election entered its crucial stages.
He said he was contacted by influential individuals who wanted him to delete his posts, but he refused to do so.
The singer explained that he considered the information he was sharing to be important to the public, particularly because he was monitoring developments surrounding the election and receiving information from people on the ground.
Davido said he eventually decided that he would not remove his posts until the Independent National Electoral Commission made its official declaration.
His decision, he explained, was based on his belief that the electoral process should be allowed to run its course and that Nigerians had a right to follow developments as they unfolded.
The singer’s involvement in the Osun election was largely connected to his family ties to the state.
His uncle, Ademola Adeleke, was seeking another term as governor, making the election particularly personal for Davido and his family.
The musician openly supported Adeleke during the campaign and became one of the most prominent public figures commenting on the election.
His social media activity attracted widespread attention, with thousands of Nigerians following his updates during the voting and collation process.
Davido also made serious allegations about the amount of money allegedly deployed during the election.
He claimed that huge sums of cash were brought into Osun State in an attempt to influence voters and affect the outcome of the election.
The singer put the figure at about ₦110 billion, although the allegation remains a claim made by Davido and has not been independently established.
He argued that the alleged use of money during elections poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy because it could encourage a system where political power is determined by financial strength rather than the choice of voters.
Davido said his camp deliberately avoided spending money at polling units on election day.
Instead, he said they relied on voters to exercise their rights and protect their votes.
He described the conduct of many Osun residents as evidence that voters were becoming increasingly unwilling to tolerate attempts to manipulate the electoral process.
The singer also alleged that some voters resisted attempts to interfere with ballots at polling locations.
His comments have added another layer to the already intense debate surrounding the Osun governorship election.
The contest attracted significant attention because it brought together powerful political interests and involved a sitting governor seeking to retain his position.
For Davido, the election represented more than a political contest involving his uncle.
It became a personal campaign for what he described as the protection of the democratic rights of Osun residents.
Throughout the process, the singer used his considerable social media following to draw attention to developments in different parts of the state.
His intervention also generated controversy, with supporters praising him for becoming involved while critics questioned the role of celebrities in political affairs.
Davido, however, maintained that his status as an entertainer did not prevent him from speaking about issues affecting his family, his state and the country.
His latest revelation about the calls from Akpabio and Dangote is likely to generate further discussion because of the prominence of the two individuals.
Akpabio occupies one of the most influential political positions in Nigeria as President of the Senate, while Dangote is one of the country’s most prominent businessmen.
Davido’s claim that both men contacted him demonstrates, in his account, the extent of the attention his social media posts had attracted during the election.
The singer did not indicate that he had agreed to any request to remove his posts.
Instead, he said he stood by his decision to leave them online until the electoral commission officially announced the outcome.
His position reflects the growing influence of social media in Nigerian elections.
Platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram and other digital networks have increasingly become important sources of real-time information during elections.
Politicians, journalists, civil society groups and ordinary voters now use social media to share developments from polling units and collation centres.
However, the speed at which information spreads online has also created concerns about misinformation, unverified allegations and politically motivated claims.
This makes the responsibility of public figures who share election-related information particularly important.
Davido’s large following means that statements made by him can reach millions of people within minutes.
His involvement therefore attracted considerably more attention than an ordinary voter’s social media post would have received.
The singer’s supporters argue that his visibility helped draw attention to events they believed deserved public scrutiny.
Critics, however, may argue that celebrities should exercise caution when commenting on politically sensitive issues, particularly when making allegations that could influence public opinion.
Davido has remained unapologetic about his involvement.
He has repeatedly maintained that his primary concern was the outcome of the election and the interests of his family and supporters in Osun State.
His relationship with Governor Adeleke has made his involvement unavoidable from a personal perspective.
The Adeleke family has a long history in Osun politics.
Davido’s late uncle, Isiaka Adeleke, was the first civilian governor of Osun State and remained a prominent political figure in the state until his death.
Ademola Adeleke later emerged as governor, making the family one of the most recognisable political families in Osun.
Davido’s public support for his uncle therefore comes against the background of a broader family connection to the state’s political affairs.
The latest election has further strengthened the singer’s involvement in political discussions.
His comments about the calls he allegedly received have now shifted attention towards what happened behind the scenes while election-related tensions were unfolding.
The claims are expected to generate reactions from political actors and supporters of different parties.
Whether the individuals mentioned by Davido respond directly to his allegations remains to be seen.
For now, the singer’s account has reignited conversations about political influence, social media activism, money in elections and the growing role of celebrities in Nigeria’s democratic process.
His refusal to delete the post, as he described it, also highlights the increasing importance of social media as a platform where political information can remain publicly available despite pressure from influential individuals.
The Osun election has therefore produced a political story that extends beyond the ballot boxes.
It has raised questions about the role of money, the influence of political and business figures, the responsibilities of celebrities and the power of ordinary voters.
Davido’s decision to remain vocal throughout the process has made him one of the most visible personalities associated with the election outside the traditional political arena.
His latest disclosure is likely to keep the conversation alive as Nigerians continue to examine the events surrounding the election and what they could mean for future contests.
For the singer, however, the central message remains that elections should ultimately reflect the wishes of the people.
His insistence on keeping his posts online until the official declaration, despite the pressure he claims to have faced, has become another notable chapter in the increasingly prominent intersection between Nigeria’s entertainment industry and politics.
