President Bola Tinubu’s media aide, Temitope Ajayi, has stirred controversy after claiming that Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, would have faced arrest in some African countries over his political comments during the Osun State governorship election.
Ajayi, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, made the claim while appearing on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, where he discussed the singer’s active role in the election that saw his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, emerge victorious.
The presidential aide argued that Davido was not making comments as a neutral celebrity but as a political actor because he openly campaigned for the governor and was part of the Adeleke campaign structure.
According to Ajayi, the singer’s social media posts before and during the election were driven by personal political interests.
“Davido was an interested party. He wasn’t speaking or tweeting out of altruism. All his tweets and activities were partisan. He wanted his uncle to win,” Ajayi said.
He maintained that Nigeria’s democratic environment allows citizens, including celebrities, to express political opinions freely, but warned that some of Davido’s comments could attract legal consequences in countries with stricter regulations.
Ajayi specifically mentioned Rwanda and Ethiopia, saying the singer would not have made some of his political claims on social media without being questioned by authorities.
“He won’t dare all the things that he does on social media in Rwanda or Ethiopia because you don’t make reckless claims that you don’t have evidence for,” he said.
The presidential aide accused Davido of making allegations against prominent figures, including government officials, and suggested that such statements could create tension or encourage public unrest.
He alleged that the singer had made claims against the Senate President, President Tinubu and other political figures simply because Nigeria’s democratic system provides room for free expression.
“Davido has abused the right and freedom that democracy guarantees,” Ajayi added.
Background: Davido’s Role In Osun Politics
Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, has remained closely involved in Osun politics due to his family ties. His uncle, Ademola Adeleke, became governor of the state after winning the 2022 governorship election and later secured another victory in the 2026 election.
During the campaign period, the singer used his large social media following to promote his uncle’s candidacy, attack perceived opponents and comment on political developments in the state.
His posts attracted both support and criticism, with some accusing him of using his celebrity influence to interfere in politics, while his supporters argued that he had the right as a Nigerian citizen to participate in democratic activities.
Ajayi’s comments have added another layer to the ongoing debate over the limits of free speech, celebrity involvement in politics and the responsibility of public figures when making claims online.
The Tinubu aide also used the interview to defend the President’s administration, arguing that poverty and hardship are challenges faced by countries across the world and that successive governments must continue working to improve living conditions.
He said Nigeria’s development process was “an unfinished business” and compared governance to a relay race where each administration builds on the efforts of the previous one.
Ajayi further defended Tinubu against criticism over his educational background, arguing that academic history is not a constitutional requirement for becoming Nigeria’s president.
“You don’t have to be a genius to be a president. You just have to be a good manager and a good leader,” he said.
The presidential aide also addressed the recent controversy involving Catholic cleric Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who criticised the state of insecurity and economic hardship in the country.
Ajayi denied disrespecting the former Abuja archbishop and said his comments had been misunderstood.
“Your Eminence, I never intended to be disrespectful. I was never disrespectful. My apologies,” he said, insisting that he had no intention of attacking the respected cleric.
