The Head of Media and Publicity of the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, has urged residents of Osun State to assess Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, based on his performance as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund and his contributions to governance rather than his campaign appearances.
Omowaiye made the remarks during a broadcast on News Central TV while reacting to Davido’s participation in campaign activities for his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
He alleged that the singer only becomes politically active during election periods, accusing him of distributing money to residents and taking advantage of what he described as their vulnerability. He, however, maintained that voters in the state are now more interested in governance and service delivery than celebrity endorsements.
The APC campaign spokesman alleged that Osun State University is now the most expensive government-owned university in Nigeria and questioned whether Davido had used his influence to advocate a reduction in tuition fees. He also claimed that some students of the University of Ilesa pay as much as N1.5 million in school fees.
Omowaiye said the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, had pledged to reduce tuition fees if elected and questioned whether Davido would encourage students to support that promise.
He also criticised Davido’s performance as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund, alleging that Osun has no functional government-owned stadium despite his appointment.
According to him, the state’s male and female football clubs were relegated during Davido’s tenure as chairman, adding that the singer had not made any meaningful contribution to sports development in the state.
Omowaiye further accused the Adeleke family of concentrating public appointments among relatives instead of creating opportunities for young people across Osun State.
He claimed that Davido serves as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund, while his brother, Tunji Adeleke Jr., was appointed Chairman of the Osun State Local Government Service Commission at the age of 31. He also alleged that another member of the family serves as Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.
The APC spokesman maintained that public offices were being recycled within the Adeleke family, arguing that while young people are mobilised during campaigns, they are allegedly excluded from government appointments and other opportunities.
He also questioned Davido’s silence on what he described as major governance issues in the state, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, electricity reforms and the alleged payment of N13.7 billion to ghost workers.
Omowaiye argued that Davido had not publicly challenged the state government over the condition of schools, hospitals, roads or other public services, despite his closeness to the governor.
He insisted that the people of Osun would not be influenced by celebrity status during the election, maintaining that they would vote based on governance, competence and performance.
The APC spokesman also referred to comments credited to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who reportedly advised Davido to prepare to employ Governor Ademola Adeleke as a dancer if he loses the August 15 governorship election.
Omowaiye’s remarks came after Davido joined Governor Adeleke at a campaign rally in Osun as political activities intensified ahead of the governorship poll.
The singer arrived in the state on Thursday, August 6, and has actively participated in campaign activities in support of his uncle’s re-election bid.
Videos from the rally showed Davido moving through a large crowd alongside the governor’s son, Sina Adeleke, popularly known as Shina Rambo, before both climbed over a barricade to join Governor Adeleke on the campaign stage, where they danced with supporters.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Davido nor the Osun State Government had responded to the allegations made by Omowaiye.
(Guardian)