Apostle Kassy Chukwu, the Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, has declared that singer Davido is no longer welcome to perform in Edo State for the remainder of the current administration. The announcement was made in a video published on YouTube by Peniel TV International Benin City on Thursday, August 20.
Reason for the Ban
The ban follows Davido's refusal to apologise for sharing what appeared to be Okpebholo's WAEC result on his Instagram Story. The post came after the governor publicly criticised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is Davido's uncle, during the campaign ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election.
In the video, Chukwu said: "You have been banned from coming to Edo State to perform. We don't want to see you in Edo again." He accused Davido of directing disrespectful remarks at the governor and his family and stated that the singer would not be welcome in Edo for the remaining years of Okpebholo's tenure. Chukwu also challenged the authenticity of the document Davido shared, describing it as allegedly manipulated.
Warning of Hostile Reception
Beyond the ban, Chukwu cautioned that Davido risked a hostile reception from residents if he returned, including at the airport. "Edo youths are angry. They said if they catch you again, nobody should bring Davido to come and perform in any place again in Edo State," he said.
The video of Chukwu's remarks has continued to circulate online as the public spat between the singer and the Edo governor shows no sign of cooling down.
Origin of the Dispute
The fallout began when Okpebholo publicly mocked Governor Adeleke's dancing and questioned his conduct in office while campaigning in Osun State. Davido responded by posting the alleged WAEC result on his Instagram Story, drawing wide attention online.
When questioned about the post during a later interview, Davido stood firm, saying he saw no reason to apologise. He argued that he had simply shown Osun residents the academic record of a governor who had left Edo to campaign against his uncle. He also questioned why Okpebholo was participating in another state's election at all, suggesting the governor's energy would be better directed at his own mandate.
