Uzodimma Distances Self from Response to Davido, Says ‘I’m Not an Osun Voter’

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has clarified his position regarding comments made in response to an appeal by Nigerian music star David Adeleke, known as Davido, concerning the upcoming Osun State governorship election. Uzodimma stated that he did not authorize or endorse the remarks, which described Davido's appeal as "emotional blackmail."

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor emphasized that the comments attributed to Ambrose Nwogwugwu were made in a personal capacity and did not reflect the views of Uzodimma or the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State Governorship Campaign Council, which he chairs. This clarification came after Davido, whose wife is from Imo State, reportedly urged Uzodimma to use his influence as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and the APC Osun Governorship Campaign Council to ensure a peaceful election.

Uzodimma affirmed that Davido remains "his son" and assured him that his presence in Osun would be solely in his capacity as a committed APC member and leader of the campaign council. "I am not an Osun voter," Uzodimma stated, explaining that while he would not be voting, he would monitor the election and campaign for the APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

“

I am not an Osun voter.

The governor maintained that the APC consistently advocates for peaceful, credible, free, and fair elections. He stressed that it is a common practice in Nigeria's democratic process for party leaders to travel to different states to campaign for their candidates. Uzodimma also reaffirmed his respect for Davido and the people of Osun State, calling it "non-negotiable."

He urged Davido, Osun residents, and the public to disregard Nwogwugwu's comments, insisting they did not represent his personal stance or that of the APC campaign council. Uzodimma explained that the clarification was necessary to counter attempts by "mischief makers" to misrepresent the aide's views and link them to his office. His involvement in the Osun election is limited to supporting the APC campaign and overseeing the electoral process as chairman of the campaign council.

“

This clarification became necessary to prevent what he described as attempts by “mischief makers” to misrepresent the views expressed by Nwogwugwu and link them to his office.