Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State Governorship Campaign Council, Hope Uzodimma, has officially distanced himself from a controversial statement made by one of his aides in response to a plea for peace by Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido. In a statement issued on Thursday, August 6, 2026, Uzodimma clarified that he neither authorised nor endorsed the remarks made by his Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwogwugwu, who had described Davido's appeal for a peaceful governorship election in Osun State as "emotional blackmail."
The clarification came just days after Davido, who is the nephew of the incumbent Osun State Governor and Accord Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, publicly appealed to Uzodimma to use his influence as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and the APC's campaign council to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process in the state. Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, August 5, Davido expressed concern over rumours that some politicians from outside Osun were planning to interfere in the August 15 poll. Although he did not mention Uzodimma by name, the singer's appeal was widely interpreted as a direct message to the Imo State governor.
However, Uzodimma's aide, Ambrose Nwogwugwu, had responded on social media by dismissing Davido's appeal and advising the singer to direct his concerns to the people of Osun State, who would ultimately decide the outcome of the election. Nwogwugwu also predicted the defeat of Governor Ademola Adeleke, claiming that the electorate had lost confidence in his administration. The comments quickly went viral and drew criticism from various quarters, prompting Uzodimma to issue a swift and unequivocal disavowal.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor said: "Davido remains my son. His coming to Osun for the exercise is solely because he is a committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and not one of the voters in the State’s governorship election on Saturday next week, or at any other time." Uzodimma stressed that he would be in Osun as a leader and committed member of the APC, adding that his participation was aimed at supporting the party’s candidate and monitoring the electoral process. "I am not an Osun voter," the governor declared, explaining that he would not be participating in the election as an electorate but would only monitor the exercise and canvass support for the APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
The governor reiterated that the APC had always advocated for peaceful, credible, free, and fair democratic contests and would continue to encourage the people of Osun State to vote for its candidate through legitimate democratic engagement. He said there was nothing undemocratic about party leaders travelling to states to campaign for their candidates, noting that such practices are common in Nigeria’s democratic process. Uzodimma also reaffirmed his respect for Davido and the people of Osun State, describing it as "non-negotiable." He urged the singer, residents of Osun, and the general public to disregard Nwogwugwu's comments, insisting they neither reflected his personal position nor that of the APC campaign council.
The Osun State governorship election, scheduled for August 15, 2026, has been marked by heightened political tension, with major political parties trading accusations over alleged plans to influence the outcome. Davido, who serves as the Chairman of the Imole Youth Campaign Mobilisation Team supporting his uncle's re-election, has been at the forefront of efforts to rally young voters and ensure a transparent electoral process. The singer had also previously appealed to an unnamed politician from Imo State—widely believed to be Governor Uzodimma—to allow the people of Osun to freely choose their next governor without external interference.
Uzodimma's decision to publicly distance himself from his aide's remarks and reaffirm his personal relationship with Davido appears to be a strategic move aimed at de-escalating tensions and avoiding any perception of hostility towards the Adeleke family. However, the governor's firm stance that he is not an Osun voter and his unwavering commitment to the APC's candidate underscores the high stakes of the election and the determination of both parties to secure victory on August 15. As the clock ticks down to the poll, the people of Osun State are left to watch closely whether the appeals for peace will translate into a violence-free electoral process, or whether the political tensions will erupt into further chaos.
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