NEWS
“I Defeated 17 Governors With All Their Power, With All Their Immunity, Escort Commanders, DSS, With All Their Billions I Defeated Them With Just A Phone” — Davido
Popular Nigerian singer David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has claimed that he played a significant role in helping his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, secure victory in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.
Speaking during an interview with News Central on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the singer reflected on the election and the intense political battle surrounding his uncle’s bid to retain control of the state.
Davido described the election as a major political contest involving powerful individuals and political heavyweights with access to enormous government resources, security personnel and established political structures.
Despite the strength of the opposition he claimed his family faced, the singer said he was able to make a major impact through his personal influence and social media platforms, relying primarily on his mobile phone to communicate with millions of followers.
According to Davido, his digital influence proved powerful enough to challenge the combined political machinery of several governors who, he alleged, were working against his uncle.
In his words, “I defeated 17 Governors with all their power, with all their immunity, escort commanders, DSS, with all their billions I defeated them with just a phone.”
The claim has once again highlighted Davido’s prominent role in the political affairs of his family and the growing influence of celebrities in Nigeria’s electoral politics.
The singer has consistently thrown his weight behind Governor Ademola Adeleke and has used his enormous social media following to promote his uncle, defend his administration and mobilise public support.
His latest remarks also point to the changing nature of political mobilisation in the digital age. Rather than relying exclusively on traditional campaign structures, rallies and political networks, public figures with millions of followers can now communicate directly with voters and shape political conversations from their phones.
For Davido, the power of social media offered a way to counter what he described as overwhelming political and government-backed resources. His reference to defeating powerful political figures with “just a phone” appeared to emphasise how digital platforms can give individuals an unprecedented ability to influence public opinion.
The development further underscores the growing intersection between Nigeria’s entertainment industry and politics, with celebrities increasingly becoming influential voices during elections and political campaigns.
Davido’s role in the Osun political contest has consequently attracted renewed attention, particularly as his family continues to maintain a strong presence in the state’s political landscape.