You Remain My Son, But I’m Not An Osun Voter, Uzodinma Tells Davido

Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, has distanced himself from comments made by his aide, Ambrose Nwogwugwu, regarding Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, insisting that the remarks did not reflect his position ahead of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State Governorship Campaign Council, said he neither authorised Nwogwugwu nor any other individual to respond to Davido’s recent appeal for peace during the election.

Davido, who is related to the governor by marriage, had urged Uzodimma to use his influence as leader of the APC campaign council to ensure a peaceful electoral process in Osun State.

However, Nwogwugwu, in a personal reaction, described the singer’s appeal as “emotional blackmail” and advised him to direct his message to Osun voters, whom he said would determine the outcome of the election.

Reacting in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku, Uzodimma clarified that the aide’s comments were personal opinions and should not be interpreted as the official position of either the governor or the APC campaign council.

The governor also reaffirmed his relationship with the award-winning musician.

“Davido remains my son,” Uzodimma said, adding that while the singer may be present in Osun during the election, he is not an Osun voter.”

Uzodimma explained that his own presence in Osun would be in his capacity as a senior APC leader and chairman of the party’s governorship campaign council, where he would support the party’s candidate and observe the electoral process.

He noted that it was common democratic practice for political leaders to campaign for their party’s candidates in states where they were not registered voters.

The governor stressed that the APC remained committed to conducting a peaceful, credible, free and fair governorship election in Osun State.

At the same time, he said the party would continue to canvass support for its candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, describing political campaigns as legitimate features of democratic competition.

“My respect for him and the people of Osun State is not negotiable,” Uzodimma stated.

He urged Davido, the people of Osun State and the general public to disregard Nwogwugwu’s remarks, maintaining that they were personal views expressed without his approval.

According to the governor, the clarification became necessary to prevent what he described as “mischief makers” from twisting the comments and creating unnecessary tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election.