The Presidency has criticised Afrobeat star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over his activities on social media during the August 15 Osun State governorship election, saying he would not have been able to make similar interventions in countries such as Rwanda or Ethiopia.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, made the remarks during an interview with Symfoni TV while reacting to Davido’s social media posts during the election.
Ajayi accused the singer of actively campaigning for his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who won the election, rather than merely expressing concern for the people of the state.
“Davido was an active participant in the process. He went all out for his uncle to win the election. He was part of the process and even held a position in the campaign structure.
“So he wasn’t speaking or tweeting out of love for the people of the state. All his tweets, all his activities were partisan. He wanted his uncle to win.
“It’s just that we are in a democratic society where there is freedom of speech. People are allowed to say whatever they want to say on social media.
“Davido can’t dare say or tweet all of those things in countries like Rwanda or Ethiopia. He will be picked up to come and provide evidence. You don’t make reckless claims that you don’t have evidence of. These things are capable of inciting the public into violence,” he said.
Davido had been highly active on social media during the Osun election, using his platform to comment on developments surrounding the poll and support his uncle’s re-election bid.
Governor Adeleke subsequently secured a second term after defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the closely watched election.
