The gubernatorial election in Osun State, which is slated for the 15th of August, has been on the front burner of public discourse in recent weeks, with major political actors on both sides of the divide in the state doing whatever they can to emerge victorious at the polls. The incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke, of the Accord Party, will slug it out with his closest and fiercest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As major contenders taking no prisoners as they ramp up efforts to achieve their goal of winning the election, their actions and antics have sparked palpable tension and upheaval not just in the state but the country.
Electioneering and political campaigns have been marred by violence and killings of political opponents; this act of violence has been largely perpetrated by the ruling APC. On Monday and Tuesday, Francis Ade Fadahunsi, Senator representing Osun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, was captured in a viral video asking his supporters to hound and maim supporters of the Accord Party and their families.
“From now on, whenever you see Accord members, kill them. I authorise you to kill them. They have wives and children too. This is a Federal Government election. On election day, even if they come with voters card, we won’t allow them to vote,” he said.
Last week, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze the account of the state government over claims of unusual movement of cash from the account for dubious and questionable activities. The accounts were later unfrozen following President Bola Tinubu’s order.
Amid this unsettling, precarious and volatile political climate, Nigerian afrobeat star, Davido, on Tuesday sent an SOS to United States President Donald Trump over unfolding events in Osun.
In a post on his official X handle titled “A CALL FOR ATTENTION TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP”, Davido expressed his concerns over the possibility of violence that will scuttle the democratic process and subvert the people’s will during the election.
Davido, who is the nephew of Governor Adeleke, called on the United States and the international community to keep an eye on the unfolding events in Osun as the state gubernatorial election approaches.
He wrote, “President Donald Trump, I am calling your attention to the situation in Osun State, Nigeria, as we approach the election.
There are growing concerns about tension and the possibility of violence, intimidation, or disruption of the democratic process. Osun people deserve to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely, peacefully, and without fear.
I appeal to the United States and the international community to pay close attention to the election and encourage all relevant authorities to ensure that every voter is protected and every vote is respected.
We do not want bloodshed. We do not want intimidation. We want peace, transparency, and a free and fair election. @realDonaldTrump”
Davido’s post has sparked reactions from Nigeria, with many wondering why he directed his message at President Trump and not President Bola Tinubu.
There those who see Davido’s message as duplicitious and hypocritical owing to his family’s fraternisation with the APC at the federal level.
See reactions below.
King Chidi wrote: This is funny because violence, intimidation, disruption of the democratic process and bloodshed is a norms in Nigeria but you never for once called out Donald Trump. Now, it’s affecting your uncle election in osun state, you suddenly remember to call out for aid?
The same you who has supported APC in the past and has been seen with Tinubu a couple of times smiling with a terrorist. All of sudden, you need Donald Trump aid because it hits home?
Bloodshed, violence, disruption of democratic process and intimidation has affected the whole Nigerians in the past, why didn’t you call out Donald Trump? If it doesn’t benefit you, you don’t go this length but as soon as it has to do with family, you’re willing to go all out.
If you used this same energy to call out bad governance in Nigeria, maybe things would have been better.
You left your president who’s the problem and calling US president. So Donald Trump should leave America and come to Osun State?
Davido, you’re a great artist and a big influence and inspiration to Nigerians. Alot of people look upto you. You ought to do better.
Ridwan Oke insinuated that Davido is not different from his uncle. He considered Davido’s message to Trump unintelligent, writing: Ikan o gbekan. A clear sign of low intelligence
Ọmọ Akin wrote: You’re calling on Donald Trump because it’s about to affect your family but when it has been affecting the whole Nigerians, who did you call? You don’t really care, you’re just scared power may slip off your family’s hands in Osun State. Tufiakwa !
Abiodun wrote: The craziest part is that your uncle is still supporting this same man for president. It’s so crazy for real
S.A.L.AK.O quipped: You leave your President, you dey call Donald Trump.
You’ve not started crying.
I actually hope your uncle loses, so that your crash out will be monumental, Ashiere
Gnf_ogo noted that Davido’s post reeks of callousness and insensitivity saying: never for once called Donald trump to the situation in NIGERIA as a whole but he’s calling trump to the situation in Osun state because of his uncle 👏🏾👏🏾
Kussman wrote: You for tell am say you just discover oil for osun e go too active 😂😂😂😂
Big mack wrote: Just do everything to win that election o, because I promise you, the US embassy will be the first to congratulate APC
Baashar quipped: this is fooling lol
Trump doesn’t give a rat ass what’s going on in Osun, Niger ia
IKA NATION wrote: The same person that was shining teeth with President Tinubu and Yahaya Bello is now calling on Donald Trump, to come and do what?
Molara Wood expressed her revulsion at avaricious and self-serving foray of Nigerian musicians into politics. She wrote: Music fans and the general public have been too forgiving of this entertainer’s overt and disgustingly self-serving meddling in partisan politics in Nigeria.
We$t wrote: This is the funniest tweet this week wallahi
Agba John Doe wrote: Is Donald Trump the president of Nigeria?
What is the meaning of this type of disrespect to your countr y?
Harrsha wrote: Tagging an American president to ensure the safety of voters in just one of the 36 Nigerian states is wild.
At what point did Nigeria’s internal elections become Trump’s responsibility? What kind of stupidity is this?
I’d be so disappointed if I were a fan of this guy.
Segun wrote: You didn’t call Trump when they were bandits attacks in Nigeria but you only called Trump cause you want your Uncle to Win
