Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido has opened up about the potential intersection of his music career and politics, stating that holding a government office would not spell the end of his musical journey. In a recent livestream session, the singer addressed questions about combining music with public service, drawing inspiration from former Haitian President Michel Martelly.
Davido on Music and Government Roles
Davido made it clear that, in his view, serving in government does not necessitate abandoning his music career. 'I would still be performing if I ever chose to work for the government. That doesn't stop anything, in my opinion,' he said during the livestream. However, he acknowledged that the frequency of his performances would likely decrease. 'It won't be as much as it was before, of course,' he added.
The singer pointed to Michel Martelly, who served as President of Haiti from 2011 to 2016, as his ultimate inspiration. Martelly, a popular musician before his presidency, continued to perform and even toured during his time in office. Davido emphasized that this example shows it is possible to balance public service with a music career.
Davido's Current Stance on Politics
Despite his openness to the idea of combining music and politics, Davido revealed that he is no longer interested in pursuing a political career at this time. This revelation comes amid ongoing discussions about celebrities entering Nigerian politics, with Davido noting the 'failures' of some other celebrities in the political arena.
Davido Pauses Music for Uncle's Re-election
In a related development, Davido announced that he would temporarily pause his music career to focus on politics, specifically to support the re-election bid of his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke. The singer made this announcement in Ede, Osun State, during the inauguration of a youth campaign committee. Davido was appointed chairman of the committee, tasked with mobilizing young voters across the state.
'I have put my musical career on hold for two months to come and work for my uncle. Not only because he is my uncle but because I believe in what he is doing and the work ahead,' Davido stated. He emphasized that his decision was driven by conviction, not just family ties.
Davido Predicts Governor Adeleke's Political Future
Davido also hinted at the Adeleke family's potential shift back to their business empire if Governor Adeleke loses his re-election in August. This comment came in response to online speculation about the governor's political future under the Accord Party. An X user, Whemimor, suggested that if Adeleke loses, Davido might compose a song for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2027 campaign. Reacting playfully, Davido said, 'Or we can just go back to our multi-billion dollar company.'
Davido Restates Loyalty to Uncle Adeleke After Defection
Earlier, Davido publicly reacted to Governor Adeleke's defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Accord Party, confirming his loyalty to his uncle. The governor made the switch at a ceremony in Osogbo on December 9, and Davido quickly affirmed his support.
Davido's comments have sparked discussions among fans and political observers about the role of celebrities in Nigerian politics and the potential for musicians to serve in government while maintaining their artistic careers.
