Davido Claims Akpabio Asked Him To Delete Osun Election Post

Davido has alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked him to delete a social media post accusing him of interfering with the collation of results during the Osun governorship election. The singer said he refused to delete the post until INEC announced the result, which declared his uncle, Ademola Adeleke, the winner with 511,067 votes against APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji's 444,815. Davido also claimed that other influential figures contacted him over his election-related posts. His allegations have not been independently confirmed.

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has claimed that Senate President Godswill Akpabio contacted him during the Osun State governorship election and asked him to delete a social media post in which he accused Akpabio of interfering with the collation of results.
Davido made the allegation while discussing the August 15 Osun governorship election, in which he openly campaigned for his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke. His claims were reported by Daily Trust and other Nigerian media.

DAVIDO RAISES ALARM OVER RESULTS COLLATION

Davido said he became concerned when the electronic uploading of election results allegedly stopped for several hours during the collation process.
According to the singer, results from about 3,700 polling units had initially been uploaded at regular intervals, but the process stopped after results from roughly 3,200 units had been uploaded.
He said the interruption heightened his suspicion that there could be an attempt to manipulate the process, particularly because his uncle was leading at the time.
Davido had earlier posted on social media alleging that Akpabio had asked the collation centre to stop the process.

‘THEY ASKED ME TO DELETE THE TWEET’

Davido said the controversy led to calls from influential figures.
He alleged that Akpabio, whom he described as his godfather, contacted him and that he was asked to remove his social media post.
The singer said he refused to delete the post until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially announced the results.
Davido also claimed that businessman Aliko Dangote contacted him and asked him to delete his election-related posts.
The claims are allegations by Davido, and the report does not establish that Akpabio or Dangote actually made such requests. Neither was reported as having publicly confirmed Davido's account.

OSUN ELECTION ENDED IN ADELEKE'S VICTORY

INEC declared Ademola Adeleke the winner of the closely contested election, according to the figures cited in the report.
Adeleke was credited with 511,067 votes, while APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji received 444,815 votes, giving Adeleke a reported margin of 66,252 votes.
The election had attracted significant national attention because of the intense contest between Adeleke's Accord Party and the APC.
INEC had earlier listed Adeleke and Oyebamiji among the candidates cleared to contest the election.

ELECTION TENSIONS STARTED BEFORE POLLING DAY

The dispute did not begin on election day.
In the months leading to the poll, Adeleke and APC figures repeatedly traded accusations over the credibility of the election.
Adeleke's camp accused opposition figures of attempting to disrupt the electoral process, allegations that the APC rejected.
The intensity of the contest was also reflected in a peace accord signed by Adeleke, Oyebamiji and other governorship candidates shortly before the election, with the candidates committing themselves to a peaceful poll.

DAVIDO'S ROLE IN THE CAMPAIGN

Davido was one of the most visible celebrity figures in the Osun campaign because of his family connection to Governor Adeleke.
He repeatedly used his large social media following to defend his uncle and challenge opposition politicians.
He also participated in a “Vote, Not Fight” campaign in Osogbo, urging voters to reject violence and participate peacefully in the election.
His political interventions became increasingly confrontational as the campaign progressed.

CLASHES WITH APC FIGURES

Davido publicly confronted several APC figures who campaigned against his uncle.
One notable dispute involved Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who urged Osun voters at an APC rally to support Oyebamiji and argued that an APC governor would have easier access to President Bola Tinubu and federal support.
Davido responded by questioning what such political access had achieved for Kwara, particularly regarding security.
He also became involved in a public dispute with Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, after remarks about Adeleke's dancing prompted a response from the singer.

A HIGHLY POLARISED ELECTION

The Osun election became a major political contest between the Adeleke political structure and the APC machinery.
Davido portrayed his uncle's victory as evidence that voters could overcome political influence and financial power when determined to support a candidate.
He also argued that Adeleke's victory should serve as a lesson to elected officials that delivering for voters could translate into electoral support.
However, his claims about alleged attempts to interfere with the election and the alleged calls from political figures remain claims that would require independent confirmation.
The controversy has nevertheless added another layer to the political drama surrounding the Osun election and highlighted the increasingly influential role of celebrities and social media in Nigeria's electoral politics.