Edo government bans Davido from performing, warns singer may face hostile reception at airport

• An aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo says Davido is banned from performing in Edo State.

• He warned that the singer could face a hostile reception if he returns to the state.

• The dispute follows Davido's public clash with Okpebholo over the Osun governorship election.

An aide to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has declared that Nigerian singer Davido will not be allowed to perform in the state for the remainder of the governor's tenure, amid an escalating public dispute between the singer and the governor.

Apostle Kassy Chukwu, Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to Okpebholo, made the declaration in a video shared on YouTube by Peniel TV International, Benin City, on Thursday. "You have been banned from coming to Edo State to perform. We don't want to see you in Edo again," he said.

Chukwu accused Davido of making disrespectful comments about the governor and his family, and warned that the singer could face resistance from residents if he attempted to return to the state, including at the airport. "Edo youths are angry. They said if they catch you again, nobody should bring Davido to come and perform in any place again in Edo State," he said.

The dispute traces back to the buildup to the August 15 Osun State governorship election, in which Okpebholo publicly criticised Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke, Davido's uncle, over his conduct and dancing. Davido responded by sharing what appeared to be a copy of Okpebholo's WAEC result on his Instagram Story, a post he later defended in an interview, saying he had no reason to apologise for it.

Davido argued that he had simply shown Osun residents the academic record of a governor who had travelled to their state to campaign against his uncle. He also criticised Okpebholo for leaving Edo State to participate in another state's election and publicly questioned the legitimacy of his mandate as governor.

In his response, Chukwu also pushed back on the authenticity of the shared document, describing it as allegedly manipulated, and cautioned Davido against making similar posts targeting the governor going forward.

The video of Chukwu's comments has since circulated widely online, adding fresh attention to the ongoing back-and-forth between the singer and the Edo State government, with no indication yet that either side intends to de-escalate the dispute.

READ NEXT: VIDEO: Davido hugs Wike, says “I beat you guys” after Adeleke’s Osun victory