Was Davido Really Banned from Performing in Edo State?

Social media has been buzzing in the past few hours with the news of a ban on Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, from entering or performing in Edo State. However, official statements from the Edo State Government, have firmly debunked these claims, clarifying the political context and tensions that fueled the rumour.

The friction traces back to intense political rivalry that surrounded the recent August governorship election. During the campaign build-up, Edo State Governor – Monday Okpebholo, criticized Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s uncle. In response, Davido engaged in public pushback, sharing what appeared to be Governor Okpebholo’s academic credentials on his Instagram Story. When later interviewed by media outlets, Davido rejected calls to apologize for his comments, stating he stood by his actions.

As tensions escalated, the Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to Governor Okpebholo Apostle Kassy Chukwu, appeared in a video published on YouTube; and in the footage, the aide declared that Davido was barred from performing in Edo State, for the rest of the governor’s tenure, accusing the singer of disrespecting the state administration.

Few hours into public outcry and reactions, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Prince Kassim Afegbua, released a formal statement addressing the controversy. The administration explicitly denied any restriction and called the purported ban, a false and work of an impostor.

The commissioner further reassured that Edo State was open and welcoming to all individuals, regardless of political persuasion or background. He highlighted personal connections, reporting that Davido is an illustrious son of Edo, whose late mother hailed from the state.

The administration further clarified that any sharp words, exchanged during the election period, were strictly standard political competition, rather than personal animosity.