The Edo State Government has denied reports that it banned Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, from entering the state.
The denial was contained in a Friday statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua.
INTELNEWS had reported that the Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Apostle Kassy Chukwu, said Davido should not expect to perform in Edo for the rest of the governor’s tenure.
Chukwu made the statement in a video shared on YouTube by Peniel TV International Benin City, Nigeria, on Thursday.
His comment followed Davido’s refusal to apologise over remarks he made about Okpebholo after the governor criticised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s uncle, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Davido had earlier shared what appeared to be Okpebholo’s WAEC result on his Instagram Story. He later defended the post in an interview, saying he had no reason to apologise.
Reacting, Chukwu said, “You have been banned from coming to Edo State to perform. We don’t want to see you in Edo again,”
However, Afegbua said the state government had nothing to do with the comment and described the alleged ban as the work of “an impostor, and a fraud.”
He said Edo remained home to everyone, regardless of their beliefs or political views, adding that the government would gladly work with Davido if he wanted to perform in the state.
Afegbua also said Davido was “one of our illustrious sons” whose mother is from Edo State.
He added that the disagreement linked to the Osun election was purely political and said the government was pleased with Davido’s achievements in the music industry, expressing hope that he would win a Grammy title.
