The Edo State Government has rejected claims that Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been barred from entering or performing in the state.
According to the government, the singer remains welcome despite the recent political disagreement involving him and Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The government’s position came on Friday, shortly after a senior aide to the governor declared that Davido would not be allowed to perform in Edo throughout the remainder of Okpebholo’s tenure.
The aide, Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media, Apostle Kassy Chukwu, had made the declaration in a video shared on YouTube by Peniel TV International, Benin City.
Chukwu said the singer should not expect to return to Edo for performances, accusing him of making disrespectful comments about the governor and his family.
“You have been banned from coming to Edo State to perform. We don’t want to see you in Edo again,” he said.
The statement followed a recent dispute between Davido and Okpebholo, which erupted after the governor criticised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is the singer’s uncle, during the build-up to the August 15 governorship election.
Davido subsequently shared what appeared to be the governor’s West African Examinations Council result on his Instagram Story and later defended the post during an interview, insisting that he had no reason to apologise.
However, the Edo Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, distanced itself from the purported ban and described the person behind it as an impostor.
Afegbua said the state government had no policy preventing Davido from entering or performing in Edo, stressing that the state remained open to people regardless of their political affiliations or personal beliefs.
“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 commissioner said.
He added that the government would be willing to work with the singer if he decided to stage a performance in the state.
“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,” Afegbua said.
“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.”
The commissioner also defended Governor Okpebholo’s disposition towards people with differing political views, describing him as accommodating and inclusive.
Afegbua noted that Davido has Edo roots through his mother and described the singer as one of Nigeria’s prominent global ambassadors.
“Davido is one of our illustrious sons, whose mother hails from Edo State; he’s exemplary, and we are pleased to associate with him,” he said.
He further said the state would be willing to receive Davido should he choose to visit.
“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,” Afegbua said.
The commissioner praised Davido’s achievements in the music industry, saying his international profile had helped project Nigeria positively and foster connections across social and political divides.
“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,” he said.
Afegbua added that the state government was proud of the singer’s career and expressed hope that he would eventually receive a Grammy award.
“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,” he said.
