RismadarVoice Reporters, August 7, 2026
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has clarified that he is not registered to vote in Osun State and therefore has no direct role as an elector in the state’s August 15 governorship election.
Uzodinma clarified while distancing himself from comments attributed to Ambrose Nwogwugwu, who reportedly described as “emotional blackmail” an appeal by Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, for the governor to use his influence to promote peace during the election.
Davido, who is related to Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate Ademola Adeleke, had appealed to Uzodinma in his capacity as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and head of the All Progressives Congress campaign council for the Osun election.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku, Uzodinma said he did not authorise Nwogwugwu or any other individual to respond to Davido’s comments on his behalf.
The governor described Davido as “my son” and explained that the musician’s involvement in the Osun election was based on his political affiliation and support for the APC, rather than his status as a registered voter in the state.
“Davido remains my son. His coming to Osun for the exercise is solely because he is a committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and not one of the voters in the state’s governorship election,” Uzodinma said.
He reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to a peaceful, credible, free and fair election, while urging Osun residents to support the party’s candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
According to the governor, it is normal in a democratic system for political leaders, party members and campaign officials to participate in electioneering activities and canvass support for candidates, even when they are not registered voters in the constituency or state where the election is taking place.
“It is not new in a democracy in general, and in Nigeria in particular, for party leaders and members to join their candidates and seek support for them during elections, not as electorate from the same area who are expected to cast their ballot,” he said.
Uzodinma assured Davido that he remained committed to maintaining his respect for the musician and the people of Osun State.
He also stressed that his role in the election was to support the APC candidate while encouraging a peaceful electoral process.
The governor urged Davido, Osun residents and other members of the public to disregard Nwogwugwu’s comments, saying they represented the individual’s personal views and were not authorised by him or the APC campaign council.
Uzodinma said the clarification was necessary to prevent the remarks attributed to Nwogwugwu from being misconstrued as his official position on Davido’s appeal.
