Davido slams APC youth leader, Dayo Israel, who attributed Osun gov’s election to the singer’s impact

Davido, has strongly rejected claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, regarding the singer’s role in the just-concluded Osun State governorship election. 

Following the August 15 election, in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the incumbent, Governor Ademola Adeleke, the winner, Israel issued a statement on X urging his party to learn from the opposition’s strategy. Israel argued that the APC lacked a matching figure capable of mobilizing the youth as effectively as Davido did, describing the musician’s campaign presence as highly symbolic and impactful. 

Israel wrote;

‘’He was placed at the centre of youth mobilisation and used his influence, networks, music, digital reach and personal credibility to connect the campaign to a generation. He brought artistes, influencers and young voices into the process. Alongside emerging political and professional actors such as Pelumi Olajengbesi, he helped give the campaign a youthful, energetic and culturally resonant face.

While the opposition deliberately activated its most recognisable young figures, our party largely relied on a structure dominated by governors, senators and former office holders. These leaders are important, but we must ask a hard question: how many young Nigerians do they genuinely inspire, mobilise or emotionally connect with?

Who are the Davidos in the APC?

Who are the young men and women within our movement who are willing to put their influence, creativity, reputation and networks visibly on the line for the party? And when we find them, do we empower them, or only remember them at election time?

 

I raise these questions from experience, not hindsight’.

However, in a sharp rebuttal posted on X on Monday morning, Davido slammed the APC youth leader. The award-winning artist fiercely kicked against the narrative that he or the team he brought along were the primary forces shaping the campaign’s success, distancing himself from the youth leader’s political analysis.