Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has raised the alarm over an alleged attempt by soldiers to prevent him from entering Osun State as voters head to the polls for the state governorship election.
Davido made the allegation in a post on his verified X account early Saturday, saying he had been “reliably informed” that soldiers were attempting to stop him from gaining entry into the state.
The singer, however, vowed not to be intimidated, insisting that Nigerian citizens have a constitutional right to freedom of movement.
His allegation comes amid heightened security operations across Osun State as residents vote to elect the next governor. Authorities had announced restrictions on movement across the state from midnight on Friday, August 14, until 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, as part of measures to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.
The restriction is expected to affect vehicular and other forms of movement during the voting period, with security personnel deployed across the state to maintain law and order.
Davido, who is a nephew of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, has openly supported his uncle’s bid for a second term. Governor Adeleke is contesting under the Accord Party against several candidates, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Bola Oyebamiji, and African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam.
The singer’s allegation has sparked reactions across social media, with some commentators linking the reported incident to the general movement restrictions imposed for the election, while others questioned whether Davido was being specifically targeted.
Former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad dismissed the singer’s complaint as “dramatic,” arguing that the movement restrictions had been publicly announced by security authorities and applied as part of election security arrangements.
Ahmad maintained that although citizens have a constitutional right to freedom of movement, such rights are subject to lawful restrictions introduced by authorities to safeguard public order and the electoral process.
However, as of the latest reports, there has been no independent confirmation that soldiers were specifically ordered to prevent Davido from entering Osun State.
The allegation comes against the backdrop of heightened political tension surrounding the election, with concerns over security, voter safety, intimidation and the peaceful conduct of the poll.
Thirteen candidates are contesting the governorship election, although the contest has largely been viewed as a three-way race involving incumbent Governor Adeleke, APC candidate Oyebamiji and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam.
Davido had earlier called on Nigerian authorities and the international community to pay close attention to the Osun election, citing concerns over possible violence and intimidation.
As voting continues across the state, attention remains focused on the conduct of the election, the response of security agencies and whether Davido’s allegation will trigger further political or security controversy.
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