But I’m Not An Osun Voter.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has distanced himself from hostile comments made by his aide, Ambrose Nwogwugwu, in response to an appeal by award-winning musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Governor Uzodimma clarified that he did not authorize Nwogwugwu or anyone else to respond to Davido’s appeal for a peaceful election.
Davido, who is related to the Imo State governor by marriage, had previously appealed to Uzodimma—in his capacity as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and the APC Osun State Governorship Campaign Council—to use his influence to ensure a peaceful voting process.
In a personal social media post, Nwogwugwu had dismissed the singer’s appeal as “emotional blackmail,” advising Davido to direct his advocacy to the electorate of Osun State who will decide the election.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku, Governor Uzodimma stated that the aide’s comments did not represent his personal views or the position of the APC campaign council.
The governor reassured the musician that their relationship remains cordial.
“Davido remains my son,” Uzodimma said, while noting that the singer’s active presence in Osun ahead of the polls does not make him an eligible voter in the state.
Uzodimma explained that his own involvement in Osun is strictly as a leader and committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), aimed at supporting the party’s candidate and monitoring the electoral process. He added that it is standard democratic practice for party leaders to campaign for candidates outside their home states, even if they are not registered voters there.
While emphasizing that the APC is fully committed to a peaceful, credible, free, and fair election, Uzodimma stated that the party would continue to actively campaign for its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
“My respect for [Davido] and the people of Osun State is not negotiable,” Uzodimma said.
He urged Davido, the people of Osun, and the general public to disregard Nwogwugwu’s comments, describing them as personal opinions that should not be linked to the governor or his campaign council.
Uzodimma added that the clarification was necessary to prevent mischief-makers from misrepresenting the situation and creating unnecessary tension ahead of the election.
