Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has distanced himself from remarks made by his aide, Ambrose Nwogwugwu, in response to Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over the forthcoming August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Uzodimma said he neither authorised Nwogwugwu nor any other individual to respond to Davido’s appeal, in which the singer urged the governor, as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and the APC Osun State Governorship Campaign Council, to use his influence to ensure a peaceful election.
Nwogwugwu had described Davido’s appeal as “emotional blackmail,” advising the singer to direct his message to Osun voters, whom he said would ultimately decide the outcome of the election.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku, Governor Uzodimma clarified that the aide’s comments were personal opinions and did not reflect his position or that of the APC campaign council.
The governor also reaffirmed his cordial relationship with Davido, who is his in-law, saying, “Davido remains my son.”
He noted that while the singer may be present in Osun during the election, his presence would not make him an eligible voter in the state.
Uzodimma explained that his own presence in Osun would be strictly in his capacity as a leader and committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), supporting the party’s candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and observing the electoral process.
According to the governor, it is a normal feature of democracy for political leaders and party members to campaign for their candidates in states where they are not registered voters.
He reiterated the APC’s commitment to a peaceful, credible, free and fair election, while maintaining that canvassing support for the party’s candidate remains a legitimate part of democratic competition.
“My respect for him and the people of Osun State is not negotiable,” Uzodimma said.
He urged Davido, the people of Osun State, and the general public to disregard Nwogwugwu’s remarks, insisting they should not be interpreted as the official position of either the governor or the APC campaign council.
Uzodimma added that the clarification was necessary to prevent “mischief makers” from misrepresenting the situation and creating unnecessary tension ahead of the governorship election.
