Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Suspected political thugs allegedly loyal to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo have arrived in Osun State, issuing chilling threats against Governor Ademola Adeleke and his nephew, Afrobeats superstar Davido, just hours before Saturday's governorship election. In a viral video that has sent shockwaves through the state, the men, who claimed to have come from Edo State, bragged about their presence in Osun and vowed to "capture" the incumbent governor and "finish off" the singer if they dared to show their faces.
The video, which has been widely circulated on social media, shows the two young men speaking in a mix of Pidgin English and Yoruba, flanked by security operatives who appeared to be looking on without intervening. One of the men, dressed casually, declared with swagger: "We told you people that we are coming, but you said it's a lie. Here we are in Osun. Adeleke will learn the hard way. Davido will learn the hard way. You said you want to sing again, now you want to do politics, we will finish you. If you put head, you will commit suicide." Another added, "Okpebholo is ready for you people. We are going to capture Adeleke tomorrow."
The threats come amid mounting tension and allegations of imported thuggery in the Osun governorship election, which pits Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. The APC has previously raised alarms about the importation of political thugs into the state, accusing Governor Adeleke of harbouring hoodlums from Lagos and Ibadan at the Government House. But the viral video has shifted the spotlight squarely onto Edo State, with the suspects explicitly invoking Governor Okpebholo's name and claiming to be acting on his behalf.
The presence of uniformed police officers in the background of the video has further deepened public outrage. In the footage, the officers can be seen standing idly by as the suspects issue their chilling threats, with one officer even appearing to laugh alongside the thugs. The disturbing image has raised serious questions about the neutrality and professionalism of security agencies deployed to ensure a peaceful election. The Nigeria Police Force had earlier reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and security during the electoral process, vowing to provide a level playing field for all political actors. However, the viral video has undermined that assurance, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their dismay at the apparent complicity of security personnel.
Governor Okpebholo's camp has not officially responded to the video, but the Edo State Government had previously criticised Davido for appealing to United States President Donald Trump to monitor the Osun election. On Friday, Edo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Kassim Afegbua, described Davido's intervention as inappropriate and defended Okpebholo's decision to campaign for the APC candidate in Osun, arguing that the governor was well within his rights as a party chieftain.
Davido, who has been vocal in his support for his uncle's re-election bid, has not taken the threats lightly. The singer promptly tagged the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services in a post sharing the disturbing video, demanding urgent action. His move has drawn attention to the escalating security crisis in Osun, where political violence has already claimed several lives in the lead-up to the election.
The threats against Governor Adeleke and Davido are the latest in a series of incidents raising concerns about the conduct and security of the Osun governorship election. The Osun State Police Command had recently summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, over alleged threats issued against members and supporters of the Accord Party. The invitation followed a viral video in which Fadahunsi was reportedly seen warning Accord Party members against coming to Ijesa land ahead of the election.
As voters prepare to head to the polls, the viral video of the suspected Edo thugs has cast a long shadow over the electoral process. The threats, made openly and in the presence of police officers, have heightened fears of violence and voter intimidation. The police have yet to issue a statement on the video or the apparent inaction of their officers, but the pressure is mounting on security agencies to act decisively and restore public confidence.
For Governor Adeleke and Davido, the threats are a stark reminder of the dangers of Nigeria's high-stakes electoral politics. For the people of Osun, they are a chilling preview of what could unfold if the security agencies fail to uphold their duty to protect voters and political actors. And for Governor Okpebholo, the video has placed him at the centre of a storm that could damage his political standing and further polarise an already tense electoral landscape. As the clock ticks towards the opening of polling units, the question on everyone's mind is whether the security agencies will rise to the occasion or whether the thugs will have the last word.
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