Osun 2026: Davido Invokes Trump Over Uncle Ademola Adeleke’s Re-Election Bid
NIGERIA — Local Nigerian elections are rarely where you would expect U.S. President Donald Trump to feature. However, that is exactly what is happening in Nigeria, where Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is seeking Trump’s intervention.
In an official statement released by the singer, Davido made a passionate appeal for President Trump to pay close attention to the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
The Stakes in Osun State
While Nigeria is scheduled to hold its general elections in early 2027, an off-cycle governorship election is taking place in Osun State, located in the country’s South West region. Davido’s uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, is running for a second term in office.
The contest has rapidly evolved into a David-and-Goliath battle due to heightened rhetoric from the ruling party. Governor Adeleke belongs to the Accord Party—a minor political entity nationally—making him the party’s sole governor and highest-ranking elected official.
Adeleke is contesting against 14 candidates from other political parties, including the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The APC heavily dominates the national political landscape and controls 31 out of Nigeria’s 36 states.
Aggressive rhetoric from APC governors leading up to the poll has sparked widespread fears of an uneven playing field. Critics frequently point to expressions like “federal might”—a term used to describe the deployment of federal power to suppress subnational political opponents during elections.
Tensions peaked recently when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a federal anti-graft agency, froze the official bank accounts of the Osun State government just 10 days before the election. The controversial move provoked heavy public backlash, eventually forcing President Bola Tinubu to step in and direct the agency to reverse its decision.
The Trump Factor in Nigerian Politics
President Donald Trump has shown an active interest in Nigeria’s political affairs during his second term. He has previously called out the administration of President Bola Tinubu for “failing to protect Christians from attacks by armed Islamist extremists.”
Furthermore, the U.S. administration has gone as far as authorized direct strikes against terrorists on Nigerian soil. These decisive interventions and subtle threats have visibly shaken Nigeria’s ruling political class.
Davido’s public appeal to Trump is widely viewed as a strategic move to leverage U.S. influence. The goal is to pressure the ruling APC to ensure the Osun governorship poll remains free, fair, and transparent. “There are growing concerns about tension and the possibility of violence, intimidation, or disruption of the democratic process,” Davido noted in his statement. “Osun people deserve to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely, peacefully, and without fear.”
The singer wants the international community to keep a sharp eye on Osun, warning that the state’s election could serve as a template for the 2027 General Elections. “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,” he added.
READ DAVIDO’S FULL STATEMENT BELOW: CALL FOR ATTENTION TO PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
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.
