By Our Correspondent
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has refused to apologise to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, following a heated exchange that has sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria.
The controversy began after Davido shared an image said to be the governor’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result. The singer said he posted the document to draw public attention to Okpebholo’s educational background.
Davido’s action came amid a political disagreement involving Okpebholo and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke. The singer appeared to take exception to comments made by the Edo governor concerning the Osun governor.
In a strongly worded response, Davido maintained that he had no intention of apologising to Okpebholo over the post.
“I am not going to apologise to Monday Okpebholo of Edo State,” Davido was quoted as saying.
The singer went further, accusing the Edo governor of leaving his state to allegedly interfere in political matters outside Edo State.
Davido also criticised the state of infrastructure in Edo, questioning the condition of roads leading to the Government House.
He further described Okpebholo as someone who was not genuinely elected but “selected,” a claim that has generated reactions because the governor’s 2024 election victory was challenged in court but later upheld by the Supreme Court.
Okpebholo emerged as the winner of the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election after securing 291,667 votes, according to the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
His closest challenger, Peoples Democratic Party candidate Asue Ighodalo, polled 247,274 votes, while Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata received 22,763 votes.
The election result was later challenged by the PDP and Ighodalo, who alleged irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws.
The legal battle went through the election tribunal and Court of Appeal before reaching the Supreme Court.
In July 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal challenging Okpebholo’s victory and upheld his position as governor of Edo State.
This means that while allegations concerning the conduct of the 2024 election remain part of the political debate, there is no court ruling establishing that Okpebholo was “selected” rather than elected.
The WAEC document shared by Davido has also become a major subject of discussion.
The image circulating online reportedly contains Okpebholo’s examination results. However, the authenticity of the particular document has not been conclusively established through an official confirmation from WAEC.
This is important because the circulation of a document on social media does not, by itself, prove that the document is genuine.
There have also been previous controversies surrounding aspects of Okpebholo’s personal records during the 2024 election season, including questions about information contained in documents associated with his candidacy.
Davido’s latest comments have further intensified the political disagreement between him and the Edo governor.
The singer also suggested that the governor would face further scrutiny when the time comes for another election, indicating that he intends to remain outspoken about Okpebholo’s political activities.
The incident has once again highlighted the role of Nigerian entertainers in political discussions. With large followings on social media, statements made by popular celebrities can quickly become major talking points.
Supporters of Davido argue that public officials should be open to criticism and scrutiny, while supporters of Okpebholo have criticised the singer’s comments and his decision to publicly circulate the alleged WAEC result.
The controversy also raises questions about the importance of checking documents and political claims before presenting them as facts.
For now, Davido appears determined to stand by his comments, while Okpebholo’s victory in the 2024 Edo governorship election remains legally settled following the Supreme Court’s decision.
The latest confrontation between the music superstar and the Edo governor is likely to continue generating debate, particularly as Nigeria’s political atmosphere moves towards another election cycle.
