Davido Under Fire Over Okpebholo WAEC Post as Lawyer Demands Public Apology
Davido Under Fire Over Okpebholo WAEC Post as Lawyer Demands Public Apology
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has come under criticism following his decision to share what was presented as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) result of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on social media, with the development generating arguments over respect, political disagreement and the limits of celebrity involvement in partisan politics.
The controversy followed political exchanges ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election. Okpebholo, while campaigning for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, had criticised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke over his well-known dancing at public functions. Davido subsequently responded by posting what appeared to be Okpebholo’s WAEC result on his Instagram Story.
The singer’s action has since generated reactions, with critics questioning whether publishing an individual’s academic record as a means of political retaliation was appropriate, particularly when directed at a serving state governor.
Legal practitioner and author Timothy Tugbiyele has joined the debate, calling on Davido to publicly apologise to Governor Okpebholo. Tugbiyele argued that irrespective of political differences or the comments that triggered Davido’s response, the singer’s action crossed the boundaries of respectful public engagement.
According to the lawyer, Davido and Okpebholo occupy different positions in society, with the latter holding the constitutional office of governor of Edo State. He maintained that political disagreement should not remove the respect ordinarily accorded to public office or justify turning personal records into instruments of ridicule.
The argument has also raised a broader question about morality and responsibility on social media. Critics of Davido’s action maintain that his enormous influence, particularly among millions of young Nigerians, places an additional responsibility on him to demonstrate restraint even when defending a family member or expressing strong political opinions.
They argue that disagreeing with Okpebholo’s criticism of Adeleke was within Davido’s rights, but turning the disagreement into what appeared to be an attack on the governor’s educational record shifted the conversation away from policies, governance and the issues surrounding the Osun election.
Tugbiyele consequently urged the award-winning singer to withdraw the controversial approach and tender a public apology, arguing that doing so would not diminish Davido’s stature but could demonstrate maturity and respect for constituted authority.
The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive period as political tension rises ahead of the Osun governorship election, where Adeleke is seeking to retain control of the state while the APC is mounting a strong challenge through Oyebamiji.
While Davido has openly supported his uncle, the latest episode demonstrates how quickly political exchanges involving celebrities and prominent public officials can move beyond conventional campaign arguments and become national debates about conduct, respect and responsibility.
For those demanding an apology, the central argument is that political loyalty should not override decorum. They insist that Davido can vigorously defend Adeleke and participate in political conversations without resorting to material capable of being interpreted as personal humiliation of another individual.
Whether Davido will eventually apologise remains to be seen, but the WAEC controversy has already added another dimension to the heated political atmosphere surrounding the Osun election and sparked a wider conversation about how celebrities and political leaders should engage one another in Nigeria’s increasingly influential social-media space.
