The Edo State Government has denied reports that Afrobeat star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has been barred from entering the state following his recent clash with Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The state government made the clarification on Friday through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua.
According to Afegbua, the government had no intention of preventing the singer from visiting or performing in Edo.
The clarification followed comments by Apostle Kassy Chukwu, Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to Governor Okpebholo, who had warned Davido against returning to the state.
Chukwu had declared in a video shared by Peniel TV International Benin City, Nigeria, that Davido should not expect to perform in Edo for the remainder of Okpebholo’s administration.
“You have been banned from coming to Edo State to perform. We don’t want to see you in Edo again,” Chukwu said.
In another part of the video, the governor’s aide warned the singer against visiting the state, saying, “David, we don’t want to see you for Edo state again. If we catch you, if we see you for airports, go there boys, make that you slap, they remove your teeth for you.”
The comments generated reactions online, particularly because Chukwu is an aide to the Edo governor.
However, the state government has now distanced itself from the remarks, describing the person behind the purported restriction as an impostor.
In a statement, Afegbua said, “Our enemies are at it again; we did not ban Davido from entering Edo State. The proclaimer of that ban is an enemy of Edo State; an impostor, and a fraud.”
The commissioner said the Edo Government did not support what he described as spiteful behaviour and stressed that the state remained open to everyone regardless of political affiliation, beliefs or associations.
“The Government of Edo State hereby dissociates itself from such spiteful behaviour, and wishes to state further that Edo State is home to all, regardless of their belief, political persuasion, affinity and/or legal affiliation,” the statement added.
Afegbua further said the state would be willing to work with Davido if he decided to perform in Edo in the future.
“As a matter of fact, should Davido intend to perform in Edo State in future, the state will be willing to collaborate and partner with him,” he said.
The commissioner also described Davido as one of Edo State’s illustrious sons, noting that the singer’s mother is from the state.
He said Governor Okpebholo was comfortable with people from different backgrounds and political leanings, adding that there was no personal animosity between the governor and the musician.
“Davido is one of our illustrious sons, whose mother hails from Edo State; he’s exemplary, and we are pleased to associate with him,” Afegbua said.
“Should he wish to visit Edo State, we would happily host and fete him. Whatever transpired in Osun State in the wake of last week’s election was purely politics and nothing more. There was nothing personal in the conversations that deepened the campaigns.”
The controversy between Davido and Okpebholo followed the governor’s participation in the campaign for the All Progressives Congress candidate in the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Okpebholo had criticised Davido’s uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, during the campaign, questioning his style of leadership and repeatedly referring to Adeleke’s dancing.
“Before somebody signs paper, he will dance. Are you not tired? For four years, this man has been dancing. Before he takes breakfast, before he drinks tea, he will dance,” Okpebholo said during the campaign.
Davido subsequently responded by sharing what appeared to be the governor’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination result on his Instagram Story.
The singer later defended the post during an interview with News Central, saying he had no reason to apologise.
“I’m not going to apologise. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was just telling people of the state the results their governor has,” Davido said.
He also questioned why Okpebholo had travelled from Edo to Osun to criticise his uncle during the election campaign.
“Yes, and you came, you left your state, you came to another state. You came in and then started talking that my uncle is a dancer; he is not serious,” Davido said.
The singer also criticised the governor over the state of infrastructure in Edo and challenged Okpebholo’s electoral credentials.
“My uncle is not serious. First of all, you were not even elected; you were selected,” Davido added.
