Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has denied claims that Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been banned from entering or performing in the state.
The denial followed a claim by Okpebholo’s Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media, Kassy Chukwu, that the singer had been banned from the state over “Davido’s disrespect towards the governor”.
Chukwu had also alleged that youths angered by the perceived disrespect would deal with Davido if he visited the state.
“Since you are so disrespectful, you’ve been banned from performing in Edo State. We don’t want to see you here again for the rest of this administration, since you’re insulting the governor of the state,” he said.
“Edo youths are angry. They said they will deal with you if you come. Nobody should bring Davido to perform in the state, and if you come, you will have to take what you see.”
However, in a statement signed by the governor’s Commissioner for Information, Kassim Afegbua, Okpebholo distanced himself from the alleged ban, describing the person behind it as an “enemy of the state, impostor and fraud”.
He said the state would welcome and partner with Davido if the singer chose to perform in Edo in the future, describing him as one of the state’s “illustrious sons”.
“Our enemies are at it again; we did not ban Davido from entering Edo state. The proclaimer of that ban is an enemy of Edo State; an impostor, and a fraud. The Government of Edo State hereby dissociates itself from such spiteful behaviour, and wishes to state further that Edo State is home to all, regardless of their belief, political persuasion, affinity and/or legal affiliation,” the statement reads in part.
“As a matter of fact, should Davido intend to perform in Edo state in future, the state will be willing to collaborate and partner with him. Governor Okpebholo is very well balanced at home with various demographics and their leanings.
“Davido is one of our illustrious sons, whose mother hails from Edo state; he’s exemplary, and we are pleased to associate with him. Should he wish to visit Edo state, we would happily host and fete him. Whatever transpired in Osun state in the wake of last week’s election was purely politics and nothing more. There was nothing personal in the conversations that deepened the campaigns.
“Davido is a young man who has remained one of Nigeria’s global ambassadors, doing us proud and building bridges of understanding across the socio-political divides.
“As a government, we are pleased with his conduct, commitment and calculated conquest in the music industry. Indeed, we look forward to him being awarded a Grammy title.”
Davido had earlier posted Okpebholo’s purported WAEC result after the governor accused the singer’s uncle, Ademola Adeleke, of dancing rather than concentrating on his duties as governor.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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