Davido endorses PDP candidate, Ighodalo for Edo governorship election

In a political move that has electrified the campaign trail, award-winning musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has thrown his weight behind Asue Ighodalo, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the upcoming Edo governorship elections.

The Afrobeats artiste took to his Instagram Stories on Sunday, September 15, 2024, to announce the endorsement.

The singer posted a Nigerian newspaper cover featuring Ighodalo and captioned, “The next governor of my mother’s homeland.”

Though an indigene of Ede in Osun State, Davido’s mother hails from Edo, which adds a personal touch to the endorsement that has stirred conversations among political observers and fans alike on social media.

The timing of this endorsement could not be more strategic, as the election is set to take place in less than a week on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Davido’s post follows the arrival of his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, in Benin City.

Adeleke was part of a delegation of PDP governors attending a major rally for Ighodalo, signalling the growing support for the PDP candidate from influential political figures nationwide.

This endorsement is poised to resonate with younger, often politically disengaged voters, a demographic Davido has successfully mobilised in the past. With millions of followers on social media, his influence can shift the narrative in a state where voter apathy has historically been a challenge.

Several recent polls, including those from BusinessDay and the African Polling Institute, already show Ighodalo leading his rivals by a significant margin. Davido’s backing could solidify his standing as the front-runner.