Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has alleged that more than ₦110 billion was deployed in an attempt to influence the outcome of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Davido made the allegation during an interview with News Central TV on Tuesday, while recounting his experience monitoring the election and the events surrounding the collation of results.
The singer claimed that he received information from individuals within the electoral process about the huge amount of cash allegedly brought into the state to influence the election.
“I just confirmed today. They spent N110 billion. I’m coming from somewhere where we had an insider who was sending us… If you see the cash these people brought in. If they had gotten away with that election, Nigeria is finished. Because the blueprint for election will now be violence and money,” he said.
Davido, who actively monitored the election through his social media platforms, said his team did not distribute money to voters on election day, but instead relied on voters to protect their ballots and resist alleged attempts to manipulate the process.
“We didn’t spend a dime on election day. All we could do was just pray that these people take their money and vote for us,” he stated.
According to him, the situation became tense at some polling locations, with voters allegedly confronting individuals suspected of attempting to interfere with the electoral process.
“It got to a point where it was the Osun people that were beating the people that were trying to seize ballots. People are tired,” Davido added.
The singer further disclosed that he came under pressure from influential individuals to delete some of his social media posts during the election, although he did not comply with the requests.
He said he continued posting updates until the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the final result.
Davido maintained that the outcome of the election demonstrated that voters could overcome financial inducement and political influence when they remained determined to protect their votes.
The singer’s involvement in the Osun election was closely watched because of his family ties to the state. His uncle, Ademola Adeleke, was re-elected as governor in the August 15 poll.
Davido said the outcome should serve as a lesson to political leaders across the country, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“My uncle should be an example to all other government officials and governors. When you stand by the people, the people will stand by you,” he said.
