Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and his nephew, Afrobeats star Davido, shared a stage at a campaign event on Wednesday, days after Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma mocked Adeleke's dancing and suggested he could become the singer's dancer after leaving office.
Davido Joins Uncle on Campaign Trail
Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, joined his uncle at a campaign event in Osun State, where he performed for supporters ahead of the August 15 governorship election. In a video from the event, Davido wore the Peoples Democratic Party's yellow campaign cap as he entertained a crowd of young supporters.
Governor Adeleke, known for his energetic dance moves at public events, also joined his nephew on stage. The governor danced to some of Davido's songs, including Feel and With You, as the crowd cheered.
Uzodimma's Criticism and Davido's Appeal
The appearance comes days after Uzodimma took a swipe at Adeleke and Davido. Davido had appealed to political stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, free and credible governorship election in Osun State. He urged an unnamed politician from Imo State to use his influence to prevent alleged interference in the election and expressed concern about attempts to turn Osun into a political battleground.
Uzodimma, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, responded by telling Davido to direct his appeal to Osun voters rather than him. The governor predicted that Adeleke would lose the election and advised Davido to help his uncle prepare for life after office.
“Perhaps, Davido should also begin making preparations to officially sign his uncle as a dancer in his musical band because, judging by the mood of the electorate, he may well be out of a political job after the August 15, 2026, governorship election,” Uzodimma had said.
Adeleke Embraces Dancing Image
The latest campaign appearance has added another layer to the exchange, with Adeleke seemingly embracing the very dancing image that featured in Uzodimma's criticism. Adeleke has previously defended his fondness for dancing at public events, arguing that his dance moves do not affect his performance as governor. He also pointed out that the people who criticise his dancing are not necessarily the people who will determine his political future at the polls.
The governor is seeking another term in office as the August 15 election draws closer, while Davido has remained visible in his campaign efforts. The singer's involvement has attracted attention because of his family connection to the governor; Davido is one of the governor's nephews and has consistently shown public support for his political ambitions.
