African Action Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over his political position during the ongoing Osun State governorship election.
Sowore accused Davido and his family of placing personal and political interests above the interests of the people of Osun State.
The AAC presidential candidate made the comments in a post on his official X handle on Saturday, August 15, 2026, as voting and other activities continued in the Osun governorship election.
Sowore’s criticism came amid heightened political activity surrounding the election, which has attracted national attention because of the importance of Osun to the political calculations of major parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
In his post, Sowore accused Davido and his family of attempting to maintain their political influence in Osun while also supporting the administration of President Bola Tinubu at the federal level.
He described what he saw as the singer’s political position as an attempt to serve different interests at the same time.
“Now you know, Davido. You guys thought you could have it both ways, opportunism and political hedging,” Sowore wrote.
The AAC candidate alleged that the singer’s family wanted to retain influence over the affairs and resources of Osun State while maintaining a relationship with the Tinubu administration.
“You want your family to keep controlling the Osun State purse while embracing the same monstrous Tinubu @officialabat establishment at the federal level,” he said.
Sowore further accused Davido and his family of putting their personal interests ahead of those of the people of the state and the country.
“In the end, it is about protecting personal and family interests, not the interests of the people of Osun State or Nigerians,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as political cooperation with the establishment, arguing that such a position was inconsistent with claiming to support the people.
“You cannot claim to stand with the people while simultaneously cutting deals with the political establishment that has failed them,” Sowore added.
He concluded by saying Nigerians should pay closer attention to the political positions of public figures and determine who they genuinely represent.
“I hope the lessons have been learned. Nigerians should now know exactly who these people are, what they represent, and whose interests they truly serve,” he wrote.
Sowore’s comments came on a day Osun voters went to the polls to elect their governor in an election involving major political parties and candidates.
The election has been closely watched because Osun is one of the states where political competition has remained strong, with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress seeking to consolidate their positions.
Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking to retain his position, while other candidates are challenging him for control of the state.
The election has also attracted interest because of the wider political implications ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The contest has brought several national political figures into the debate, with political parties and their supporters using the election to advance arguments about the performance of the Federal Government, the state administration and the direction of Nigerian politics.
Davido, who is from Osun State and has remained a prominent public figure in Nigerian entertainment, has also attracted political attention because of his public comments and his family’s long-standing involvement in the politics of the state.
His uncle, Ademola Adeleke, is the incumbent governor of Osun State.
The Adeleke family’s political involvement in Osun has made the singer’s views on the state’s politics a subject of public discussion, particularly during election periods.
Davido has previously spoken publicly about political issues and participated in political discussions, making his comments and actions a matter of interest beyond the entertainment industry.
Sowore’s latest criticism therefore forms part of a broader debate over the role of celebrities and other influential public figures in Nigerian politics.
While celebrities have increasingly used their platforms to comment on elections and public policies, their involvement has also generated criticism from political opponents and members of the public who question their motives or political affiliations.
Sowore himself has been a prominent critic of successive Nigerian governments and has contested presidential elections on platforms centred on political change and opposition to what he describes as the country’s established political order.
He contested the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections and has continued to position himself as an opposition voice ahead of the 2027 election.
His criticism of Davido also reflects the wider political divisions that have emerged ahead of the 2027 general election, with political actors seeking to win the support of voters and influential Nigerians.
The AAC candidate’s comments were, however, accusations and political criticism, and he did not provide specific evidence in the post to support his claims that Davido or his family were involved in political deals with the Tinubu administration.
Davido’s alleged political position was also not fully detailed in Sowore’s post.
The singer’s public activities during the Osun election had already attracted attention, particularly after he raised concerns about his movement into the state on election day.
Davido had said soldiers were trying to prevent him from entering Osun State, while insisting that citizens had a right to move freely.
The incident added to the political tension surrounding the election and generated reactions from different quarters.
Security was a major issue during the election, with thousands of personnel deployed across Osun to maintain law and order and protect voters and electoral officials.
The Independent National Electoral Commission was also responsible for managing the voting and collation process.
As results began moving from polling units to ward and local government collation centres, political actors called on security agencies and electoral officials to ensure that the process remained peaceful and transparent.
Sowore’s attack on Davido came against this backdrop, with political arguments continuing even as the voting process moved towards collation.
The controversy also highlights the growing intersection between Nigeria’s entertainment industry and politics, particularly as popular figures command large audiences on social media.
With millions of followers, statements by entertainers can quickly attract national attention and influence public debate.
At the same time, such public figures often face criticism when their political views appear to favour particular candidates, parties or political families.
Sowore’s latest comments are therefore likely to add to the ongoing debate over political influence, family interests and the role of celebrities in elections.
The AAC candidate maintained that Nigerians should judge political actors and public figures based on whose interests their actions serve.
He urged citizens to look beyond public claims and pay attention to political relationships and decisions.
As Osun awaits the final outcome of the governorship election, the political contest is expected to remain a major talking point among parties, supporters and other stakeholders.