“Let’s Settle Popularity by Ballot, Not Guns”—Davido Fires Back at APC Over Alleged Intimidation Tactics
Afrobeats icon throws down the gauntlet ahead of upcoming polls; warns ruling party that his family's deep-rooted political structure in Osun cannot be suppressed by brute force.
LAGOS — The intersection of Nigerian pop culture and high-stakes politics exploded into the open on Wednesday as global music sensation David Adeleke, widely known as Davido, issued a blistering warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC) against deploying state security and violence to skew democratic outcomes.
In an unvarnished statement shared across his social media platforms, the Timeless star called out high-ranking members of the ruling party for allegedly boasting about their capacity to override the popular will of the electorate through intimidation. Taking a direct jab at the political establishment, Davido declared that true popularity must be tested at the polling booth, rather than through the barrel of a gun.
“We Have the People, They Have the Arsenal”
The singer’s remarks were triggered by a viral video clip featuring a prominent APC chieftain in the South-West who hinted during a grassroots mobilization rally that the ruling party would deploy “all available resources” to reclaim territorial control of key states.
Reacting fiercely to what he interpreted as a veiled threat of voter suppression and thuggery, Davido stated:
“It is hilarious how some people think they still own the minds of the masses. If you are as popular as you claim, strip away the security convoys, turn off the intimidation machinery, and let us meet at the polling units. Let us settle political popularity by the ballot, not by guns. The Nigerian youth are wiser now, and we will not be bullied out of our democratic rights.”
The pop star’s intervention is heavily tied to his family’s massive political stakes. His uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, won a hard-fought gubernatorial battle under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) banner in 2022—a victory in which Davido played an active, high-visibility role on the campaign trail. With the political machinery in Osun constantly remaining a battlefield of attrition, Davido’s public outbursts serve as a preemptive defense mechanism against any federal-backed attempts to disrupt his family’s political hegemony.
Reignition of a Feud
This is not the first time Davido has used his massive platform—boasting tens of millions of followers globally—to influence political discourse in Nigeria. His active involvement in civic matters has frequently drawn criticism from ruling party loyalists, who argue that the musician should stick to the recording booth rather than meddling in complex statecraft.
Within hours of his post, pro-APC media groups hit back, accusing the music icon of sensationalism and attempting to whip up unnecessary public anxiety. However, among his massive youth base, the singer’s comments have been widely praised as a necessary act of courage against structural bullying. As the country moves closer to the next general election cycle, Davido’s early mobilization suggests that the entertainment elite will continue to serve as a volatile, highly influential frontline in Nigerian opposition politics.
