Edo State denies ban on Davido after aide’s inflammatory remarks

The Edo State government has officially denied reports that it banned Afrobeats star Davido from entering or performing in the state, seeking to defuse a political dispute that escalated over social media. The denial came on Friday, August 21, 2026, after an aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo had declared the singer unwelcome.

The controversy stems from a public disagreement between Davido and Governor Okpebholo during the campaign for the Osun State governorship election held on August 15. Okpebholo had criticized Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is Davido's uncle, for his conduct in office. In response, Davido rejected calls to apologize and posted what appeared to be Okpebholo's secondary school exam result on his Instagram account.

The situation intensified when Apostle Kassy Chukwu, the Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to Governor Okpebholo, stated in a video published on Thursday that Davido should not expect to perform in Edo State for the remainder of the governor's term. In the video, Chukwu went further, suggesting the singer should be beaten if seen in the state.

On Friday, Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Kassim Afegbua issued a statement...