On August 11, 2026, Nigerian Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke (Davido) publicly appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump and the international community to closely monitor the upcoming Osun State governorship election.
In an open letter shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Davido expressed concerns about “growing tensions and the possibility of violence, intimidation, or disruption of the democratic process”. He urged that “every voter is protected and every vote is respected,” stating, “We do not want bloodshed. We do not want intimidation. We want peace, transparency, and a free and fair election”.
Davido, who holds both Nigerian and U.S. citizenship, defended his decision to address Trump directly, stating, “Trump is my president”. He has previously warned that he would escalate any election irregularities to the White House if necessary.
The election is scheduled for August 15, 2026. Davido’s uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, is the incumbent seeking re-election, now running on the Accord Party ticket. His main challenger is Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Davido’s appeal comes amid widespread reports of political violence in the state:
The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) recorded 73 election-related violent incidents and 29 fatalities during its assessment period. Another report noted that between October 2025 and June 2026, 44 election-related incidents resulted in 13 deaths. An election observer also stated that official reports indicate over 20 people have lost their lives in politically related violence.
The two major parties have traded accusations, with the APC claiming 10 of its members were killed and the Accord Party claiming eight of its members were killed during the electioneering period.
INEC has identified 11 local government areas as potential flashpoints for violence. KDI specifically identified Osogbo and Ede South as the most critical security pressure points.
Reported incidents include shootings, murders, intimidation, harassment, physical assaults, and kidnappings.
In response, the Nigeria Police Force is deploying 15,000 personnel for the election, a move that has generated mixed reactions.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated it is logistically and operationally ready to conduct a credible election. Sensitive materials have arrived in Osogbo, and over 30,000 ad-hoc personnel are being mobilised. INEC has also assured the public that “the ballot, not the bullet,” will determine the outcome
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