LAGOS — Afrobeats superstar Davido has publicly attacked Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola over what he described as the victimisation of his people in Osun State. The musician called out the minister on social media, accusing him of using his position to punish political opponents.
Davido, whose uncle Adedeji Adeleke serves as the current governor of Osun State, said Oyetola is using federal resources to undermine the Adeleke administration. He said the minister’s conduct is unacceptable and called on President Tinubu to intervene.
The musician’s post attracted enormous attention online, given his massive social media following. His intervention in what is essentially a state-level political dispute between the Adeleke family and their political rivals caught many observers off guard.
Oyetola served as governor of Osun State from 2018 to 2022 before losing his re-election bid to Adeleke. His appointment as a federal minister by Tinubu has kept him in the political spotlight despite his governorship loss.
Aide Fires Back
Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, responded sharply to Davido’s post. He described the singer’s conduct as disrespectful and unbecoming of a public figure. He said Davido should stay in his lane and leave governance to elected officials.
“Davido is a talented musician. However, his conduct in this matter is disrespectful and irresponsible. He should focus on his music and leave political matters to those who understand governance,” Akinola said in a statement.
The exchange has lit up Nigerian social media. Davido’s fans rallied behind him. Oyetola supporters pushed back. Many Nigerians said the episode shows how intertwined celebrity culture and politics have become in Nigeria’s public life.
A Family Affair
The Davido-Oyetola clash is partly a reflection of the political rivalry between the Adeleke and Oyetola camps that has defined Osun State politics for several years. The two sides have clashed repeatedly since Adeleke won the 2022 governorship election.
Davido has previously used his platform to support his uncle’s political career. His involvement in Osun politics drew mixed reactions during the 2022 election. This latest intervention shows he has no plans to stay silent on political matters that he believes affect his family.
Political analysts say celebrity involvement in Nigerian politics is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it raises awareness and engages younger voters. On the other, it can reduce complex governance disputes to personality clashes and social media drama that generates more heat than light.
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