On July 20, 2022, Afrobeat superstar David Adeleke, known as Davido, expressed elation and relief when his uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke, received the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his victory in the Osun State gubernatorial election held on July 16, 2022. Adeleke, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, secured 403,371 votes, defeating incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 375,027, and Action Democratic Party (ADP)’s Kehinde Atanda, the second runner-up. Davido took to Twitter to celebrate, stating, “It’s been a long battle fought !! We put our family name on the line, I put my career on the line but we had faith. This was God testing us if we really believed in him. I feel victorious! Congrats! Your excellency @AAdeleke_01.”
Davido’s Role and Public Advocacy
Davido played a pivotal role in Adeleke’s campaign, mobilizing voters and headlining rallies, which he described as risking his career and family name. On July 19, 2022, he raised concerns on Twitter about a perceived delay in issuing the Certificate of Return, tweeting, “48hrs after our @AAdeleke_01 victory at the Osun Gubernatorial elections, we are yet to receive our certificate. @inecnigeria should we send you fuel money? LOL Please no one should tamper with the will of the Osun People!” This prompted a response from INEC, with Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, clarifying that the Electoral Act 2022 allows up to 14 days for issuance, dismissing Davido’s concerns as premature. The certificate was presented the following day, affirming Adeleke’s win across 17 of Osun’s 30 local government areas.
A Long Battle and Personal Sacrifice
Davido’s emotional reaction highlighted the stakes of the election, a rematch of the 2018 race where Adeleke lost to Oyetola after a controversial rerun. “Family na everytin to me,” Davido told BBC News Pidgin, emphasizing his commitment to his uncle’s campaign since 2018. He described the victory as a test of faith, stating, “This was God testing us if we really believed in him,” and announced his return to music, saying, “As for me, it’s back to the studio.” The win was celebrated widely, with Adeleke dedicating it to his late brother, Isiaka Adeleke, and the people of Osun, while Davido’s involvement amplified the PDP’s campaign through his star power.
Industry and Public Reactions
The victory sparked varied responses. Portable (Habeeb Okikiola), who campaigned for Oyetola and admitted to being paid by the APC, faced backlash from Davido’s fans, who mocked him on X with comments like, “Make Portable sweep the whole of Osun with broom before going back to Lagos.” Meanwhile, Davido’s supporters praised his loyalty, with posts like, “Davido put everything on the line for his family, and it paid off!” Oyetola initially refrained from conceding, citing plans to study the results, while his ally Rauf Aregbesola briefly celebrated Adeleke’s win before retracting his posts.
A Milestone for the Adeleke Family
Adeleke’s inauguration on November 27, 2022, at Oshogbo Stadium, attended by Davido and PDP leaders like Atiku Abubakar, cemented the family’s political legacy in Osun, where Ademola’s late brother was the first civilian governor. The Supreme Court later upheld Adeleke’s victory in May 2023, dismissing Oyetola’s appeal over alleged over-voting, ensuring his governorship. Davido’s triumphant declaration, “I feel victorious,” echoed the significance of this win for both his family and Osun’s political landscape, reinforcing his dual influence in music and politics.
