Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Afrobeats superstar Davido has been forced to clarify his political allegiances after facing a barrage of criticism on social media, where he was accused of hypocrisy for speaking out against the country's worsening insecurity while maintaining a close friendship with Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu who leads the pro-government City Boy Movement. The controversy erupted after Davido faulted Nigerian celebrities for their silence on the abduction of pupils and teachers from a school in Oyo State and the resulting rise in insecurity across the country, insisting that public figures had not done enough to speak out against growing injustice. In a series of heated exchanges on X, a critic accused the singer of double standards, arguing that he could not claim to be vocal about national issues while being seen as part of the City Boy Movement.
Responding directly, Davido emphatically denied any association with the group. “I no dey part of any city boy group,” he wrote, making it clear that his social circle does not determine his political stance. The singer, who is friends with City Boy Movement patron Seyi Tinubu, explained that the two have known each other for years, but that their bond is strictly personal and has no political implications. “I’ve been friends with ST for years and that’s where it stops, and I call and complain to him all the time, even in person,” Davido said. He emphasised that he regularly raises concerns about national issues with his friend, using the direct channel to voice his frustration.
Davido’s clarification was a direct response to growing criticism following his recent comments on Nigeria’s security situation. In late May 2026, the singer had taken to social media to express his dismay over the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, calling on celebrities to end their silence on the nation’s many crises. “This is messed up,” he said as part of a post that quickly went viral, urging his fellow public figures to use their platforms to demand action. He argued that entertainers, including himself, had not done enough to speak out against the violence and injustice that had become daily realities for millions of Nigerians, insisting that the time for silence was over.
The backlash against Davido stemmed largely from the perception that his silence on national issues had been bought through his relationship with Seyi Tinubu, a key figure in the City Boy Movement that was established to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. The movement, which has been heavily involved in political mobilisation across the country, counts high-profile figures like Cubana Chiefpriest, who serves as the Imo State coordinator, among its ranks. Seyi Tinubu, the group’s patron, has been criticised by opponents who argue that the organisation has sought to leverage celebrity influence and social connections to sway public opinion in favour of the administration.
Cubana Chiefpriest, Davido’s close friend and a vocal supporter of President Tinubu, has also been a key figure in the movement. He has publicly stated that his support for the President is “undiluted and unshakable”. The publicity mogul has been actively linked with APC mobilisation activities in the South-East and remains one of the most prominent faces of the City Boy Movement.
Davido’s attempt to untangle himself from the controversy has been met with mixed reactions. Some social media users have accepted his explanation, arguing that a person can be friends with someone who holds different political views. However, many remain sceptical, insisting that the singer’s high-profile friendship with the president's son inevitably carries political weight. The debate has highlighted the growing pressure on public figures to not only speak out on national issues but also to ensure that their associations do not undermine their credibility.
The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of a deepening security crisis in Nigeria. In the wake of the Oyo school abduction, where armed bandits kidnapped dozens of pupils and teachers and killed two educators, Nigerians have become increasingly frustrated with the government’s inability to stem the tide of violence. Kidnappings for ransom, banditry, and terrorism have spread across the country, with rural communities in the North-West and North-Central bearing the brunt of the attacks. The incident sparked widespread outrage across the country, and public figures came under renewed pressure to demand action from the government.
As of Sunday, 31 May 2026, the remaining abducted victims had not been released, and security forces were continuing their search for the captives. The controversy surrounding Davido’s political ties has, for the moment, shifted the public’s attention away from the government’s response to the crisis and onto the question of celebrity influence in Nigerian politics. Whether the singer’s explanations will be enough to silence his critics remains to be seen, but the episode has underscored the challenges that public figures face in navigating the increasingly polarised political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
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