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Slams APC Youth Leader, Isreal, over Post
- Safiu Kehinde
Nigerian afrobeat singer, David Adeleke, has slammed the All Progressives Congress Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, as he debunked claimed of inviting artistes and influencers for the re-election campaign of his uncle and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.
In the wake of Adeleke’s victory at the Saturday poll where he defeated the APC Governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, Isreal had conducted a review of the election process titled ‘Osun Has Spoken: The Bitter Truth APC Must Hear Before 2027’.
Dayo had in the review posted on his X handle on Sunday identified three personalities as the defining figures at the just concluded election.
Among three personalities was Davido who the APC Youth Leader claimed to have used his influence and network to connect Adeleke’s campaign to the younger generations.
Israel alleged Davido’s mobilisation of artistes and influencers for Adeleke which, according to him gave the governor’s campaign a youthful, energetic, andn culturally resonant face.
‘Davido did not treat his role as symbolic. 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.’ He wrote.
Israel thereafter questioned the APC’s reliance on its political bigwigs while neglecting youths’ influence in their campaign.
‘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?’ He asked.
The APC leader’s mention of Davido would generate reaction from the artiste who in a comment on the post denied engaging fellow music artistes and influencers.
Davido maintained that he never brought anyone with him for Adeleke’s campaign as he slammed Israel.
He claimed to have only supported his family as he vowed not to further engage in Nigerian politics.
‘I brought no one! No one defended me! I backed my family on my own!!
‘You guys r ruthless n disgusting! Eeewwww ! I have done my job! Nigerian politics is evil AND I DONT WANT TO BE A PART OF IT TILL GOD HELPS US!’ The OBO crooner wrote.
Meanwhile, the APC Youth Leader continued with his reference to Davido as he harped on the need for the APC to actively engage youths and women in campaign plans.
‘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?’ he wrote.
Israel also mentioned President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke as the two other key personalities that defined the 2026 Osun Election.
The youth leader lauded Tinubu’s decision to restrain from using his influence in forcing APC’s victory.
‘President Tinubu deserves commendation for allowing the people of Osun to make their choice without turning the enormous powers of the Presidency into partisan weapons.
‘A President determined to capture Osun at all costs had many levers available to him.
‘State institutions could have been weaponised, security forces could have overwhelmed the atmosphere, and federal might could have been deployed in a manner that distorted the contest.’ he wrote.
On Adeleke, Israel faulted the APC’s criticism of his dancing habit which, according to him, was a political language used by the governor to build bond with Osun people and created emotional proximity with voters.
‘For years, some members of the political elite have reduced Governor Adeleke to his dancing.
‘That assessment has always underestimated both the man and the nature of Osun politics.
‘Osun is deeply rooted in its communities, traditions, faith and local culture. Its politics cannot be understood solely through elite conversations, social media commentary or the calculations of Abuja.
‘Governor Adeleke’s dancing was never a weakness. It was a political language.
‘It humanised him, made him accessible, and created emotional proximity with ordinary voters. His singing, dancing, accessibility and public worship built a bond that many technocratic analyses failed to capture.’ The APC Youth Leader wrote.
He further cited usage of similar tactics by former Osun governors Chief Bisi Akande and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as well the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
‘Chief Bisi Akande and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola also understood, in their own ways, the power of cultural identification. Aregbesola sang, spoke the language of the streets and built a political identity that resonated deeply with his base.
‘Governor Nyesom Wike, in a different context, has also shown how performance, presence and cultural familiarity can become instruments of political communication.
‘Politics is not only policy. It is emotion, identity, presence and belonging. Governor Adeleke stayed close to his grassroots while some opponents dismissed the very traits that strengthened his connection with the people.’ Israel wrote.
