Political tensions in Osun State have escalated sharply after Nigerian music superstar Davido publicly attacked the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on social media, describing him as “the most desperate politician in the world” prompting a strongly worded response from the minister’s Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola, who accused the singer of disrespecting Yoruba cultural values and predicted defeat for Davido’s uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, in the 2026 Osun governorship election.
The exchange, which has set social media ablaze, reflects the intensifying political war between the Oyetola and Adeleke camps as the state prepares for what promises to be one of the most fiercely contested governorship elections in the South-West.
The controversy was triggered on Tuesday when Davido, who is a nephew of Governor Adeleke, took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account to publicly criticise Oyetola, accusing the former Osun State governor of political desperation.
“The most desperate politician in the world is @GboyegaOyetola, very embarrassing. Oyetola, your plan no go work,” Davido wrote.
Although the singer did not provide further details about the specific “plan” he was referencing, the statement quickly gained traction online, triggering widespread reactions from supporters and critics across social media platforms. The post was widely interpreted as a reference to Oyetola’s anticipated bid to reclaim the Osun governorship in 2026, having lost the seat to Adeleke in the July 2022 gubernatorial election.
Oyetola’s Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola, responded on Tuesday with a statement that went beyond merely defending the minister, launching a direct attack on Davido’s conduct and predicting the end of the Adeleke administration.
Akinola criticised Davido’s comments as disrespectful and politically charged, accusing the Grammy-nominated singer of undermining fundamental Yoruba cultural values in the heat of political exchanges.
“In Yoruba culture, respect for elders is not optional; it is a fundamental value,” Akinola stated, implying that Davido — who is significantly younger than Oyetola — had crossed a cultural boundary by publicly attacking a man of the minister’s age and stature.
The aide used the opportunity to defend Oyetola’s record in office, drawing a contrast between what he described as the minister’s tangible achievements and what he characterised as the opposition’s reliance on celebrity influence and social media theatrics.
“Unlike those addicted to social media drama and attention-seeking outbursts, Oyetola’s record of service speaks loudly for him,” Akinola declared.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Osun governorship election, Akinola went further to predict defeat for the incumbent governor, suggesting that the electorate had grown weary of what he described as emotional governance and celebrity distractions.
“The people of Osun State are tired of emotional outbursts and celebrity side-shows. No amount of propaganda or online hostility can distract the public from the realities of poor governance,” Akinola stated.
The statement was a clear signal that the Oyetola camp views the 2026 election as an opportunity to reclaim the governorship and is prepared to engage in aggressive political messaging to achieve that objective.
The exchange between Davido and the Oyetola camp predictably divided opinion on social media along political lines.
One X user, @rashid_Yakin, replied to Davido’s post, offering context for the political rivalry: “Your uncle unseat him as governor, he wants his revenge… now all of a sudden he is desperate.”
Another user, @GiwaBaban, urged the singer to tone down his rhetoric: “It’s high time you stop this your online ranting! Campaign for your uncle in peace.”
The reactions reflected the broader division in Osun politics, where supporters of both camps have increasingly taken their battles to social media platforms, turning every public statement, interview, or social media post into ammunition for political warfare.
The Davido-Oyetola exchange is the latest manifestation of a political rivalry that has defined Osun State politics since the 2022 governorship election, when Adeleke running on the PDP platform defeated the incumbent Oyetola of the APC in a contest that drew national attention partly because of Davido’s high-profile involvement in his uncle’s campaign.
Davido’s active participation in the 2022 campaign which included rallies, social media blitzes, and public endorsements was credited by many analysts as a factor that energised the youth vote in Adeleke’s favour. The singer’s continued involvement in Osun politics, including his latest attack on Oyetola, suggests he intends to play a similar role in the 2026 cycle.
Oyetola, who transitioned from the Osun Government House to the Federal Executive Council as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy under President Tinubu’s administration, is widely expected to seek a return to the governorship in 2026. His camp has been laying the groundwork for a rematch with Adeleke, and the sharpness of Akinola’s response to Davido indicates that the Oyetola political machinery is already in campaign mode.
Governor Adeleke, for his part, has been working to consolidate his hold on Osun politics and strengthen his re-election prospects. The involvement of Davido as a vocal defender of the Adeleke brand on social media adds a celebrity dimension to the campaign that few Nigerian politicians can match but also opens the governor’s camp to accusations of substituting governance with entertainment and “celebrity side-shows,” as Akinola characterised it.
As of the time of reporting, Oyetola himself has not personally responded to Davido’s remarks. The minister’s position has so far been communicated exclusively through his Special Adviser’s statement, suggesting that Oyetola may be deliberately maintaining a posture of elder statesmanship while allowing his aides to engage in the public exchange.
The situation reflects a familiar pattern in Osun politics, where political competition extends beyond party structures into public discourse, celebrity commentary, social media battles, and statements from political allies and surrogates a pattern that is expected to intensify as the 2026 governorship election draws closer.
