A fiery online clash has erupted on X between human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, Omoyele Sowore, and Afrobeats superstar Davido over the governance of Osun State and Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The controversy kicked off when Sowore delivered a scathing critique of Governor Adeleke’s administration during a live national television appearance, claiming the governor lacked intellectual capacity and alleging that the state capital, Osogbo, looked like a war zone devoid of basic infrastructure.
Ouickly drew a sharp reaction from Davido, who stepped forward to defend his uncle. Taking to his official X page, the music icon fired back with a terse, direct Yoruba insult, calling Sowore “Aridin,” a slang term interpreted as “imbecile” or “fool”.
Refusing to back down, Sowore delivered a long, explosive counterstrike on his official X account that targeted both the singer and the governor.
The AAC presidential candidate turned the insult back on the family, writing that the real “arindin” was Governor Adeleke, bringing up the governor’s past academic journey to obtain a degree equivalent after having already served in the Nigerian Senate.
He further accused the governor of aligning politically with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in hopes that political loyalty would let the family treat Osun State as a private estate to fund an extravagant lifestyle.
Sowore concluded his post by labeling the ruling class as oppressive, corrupt, and entitled, warning that the tables would eventually turn as Nigerians would not endure such leadership forever.The public spat comes at a crucial moment as Davido has been noticeably doubling down, raising his voice, and actively throwing his massive star power behind the election buildup to secure his uncle’s second term as governor.
The music star has been visibly aggressive on the campaign trail, repeatedly locking horns with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and calling out prominent private figures and political heavyweights whom he perceives as roadblocks to Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid.
Critics point out that Davido’s fierce defense is not merely out of family loyalty, but also stems from his stake as a direct beneficiary and political appointee within his uncle’s administration, making his high-octane political intervention a central talking point in the heated struggle for Osun State.
Adding further heat to the debate, Davido who holds dual U.S.-Nigerian citizenship, sparked widespread outrage when he directly tagged U.S. President Donald Trump in a public plea regarding the state election:
“President Donald Trump, I am calling your attention to the situation in Osun State, Nigeria, as we approach the election. There are growing concerns about tension and the possibility of violence, intimidation, or disruption of the democratic process… We do not want bloodshed. We do not want intimidation. We want peace, transparency, and a free and fair election. @realDonaldTrump”. The move was quickly condemned by critics and political observers as a misplaced priority and an unnecessary attempt to invite foreign interference into Nigeria’s internal sovereign democratic process.
The complete exchange has ignited massive debate across social media platforms, deeply dividing public opinion between those who defend the 2027 AAC presidential flagbearer’s right to hold elected officials accountable and those who view his comments as an overly aggressive personal attack on the governor’s family and administration.
With the high-octane political drama reaching fever pitch, all eyes now turn to Osun State as voters head to the polls tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, 2026, to cast their ballots in the highly anticipated off-cycle governorship election.
