The Afrobeats star says electoral manipulation, political pressure and the stress of public office have no place in his future, insisting that music remains his priority

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has ruled out seeking political office, saying Nigeria’s electoral system, intense political pressure and the possibility of electoral manipulation have made a political career unattractive to him.

Also read: Davido prefers to die than allow Wole Oke, others win elections in Osun

Davido made the remarks during an interview with News Central TV on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while reflecting on his highly visible involvement in the recently concluded Osun State governorship election and the political expectations that followed his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election.

The Grammy-nominated musician said his involvement in the election should not be interpreted as an indication that he intends to move from entertainment into politics.

For Davido, the experience reinforced his belief that the political system carries risks and pressures he has no desire to embrace.

“With this system? I mean, my own vexing… no be me dey run, see as I dey tweet.

I can’t even do this with this system, the high blood pressure that… How can you wake up in the morning knowing that the people want you, and you can get rigged out? It cannot happen anywhere else in the world,” he said.

The singer’s comments provide a striking contrast between his influence as an entertainer and the formal structures of political power.

During the Osun election, Davido was particularly active on social media, using his large following to comment on developments surrounding the poll and support his uncle’s bid for another term.

He said the experience demonstrated to him that influence could be exercised without holding political office.

“I’m comfortable in my current… My job? Or why am I famous? Music, yeah. I defeated 17 governors with all their power, with all their immunity, with all their escort commander, with all their DSS, with all their billions. I defeated them with what? Just a phone,” Davido said.

His remarks reflect the growing role of social media and celebrity influence in Nigerian political discourse, particularly during elections when public figures can reach millions of voters without relying on traditional political structures.

But while Davido remains willing to speak on issues that matter to him, he said he does not want that influence to become an obligation to support particular political candidates.

The Davido rules out politics position also extends to the 2027 presidential election, for which he said he currently has no preferred candidate.

The musician said he was subjected to online pressure after his uncle’s victory, with some social media users attempting to influence the position he would take in the next presidential contest.

“For now, I feel like I did what I had to do for the Osun people and for my family. The next day, a lot of people were tweeting at me, trying to rage-bait me.

‘Make sure you do this for the president.’ You can’t come and tell me what to do. You can’t force me to have a presidential candidate. Personally, I don’t want to be involved in it,” he said.

Davido also sought to distinguish his personal position from the political responsibilities of his uncle.

He acknowledged that Governor Adeleke may need to maintain a working relationship with the Federal Government in the interest of Osun State, particularly where issues such as federal allocations and cooperation are concerned.

“My uncle might have his personal reasons for the gain of the state. I’m sure a governor being in good terms with the president… maybe more allocation. But that’s for the governor to decide.

He’s been re-elected,” Davido said.

The distinction is significant because Davido’s public profile and family connection to the Osun governor have repeatedly placed him within Nigeria’s political conversation.

Governor Adeleke secured re-election in the August 15 Osun governorship election, according to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The outcome extended the Adeleke family’s political influence in the state and generated fresh debate about the role of celebrity activism in electoral politics.

Davido’s intervention during the campaign also attracted considerable attention because of his ability to communicate directly with a large youth audience through social media.

His latest comments, however, suggest that he sees that influence as a personal platform rather than a stepping stone towards elected office.

The singer also made clear that his political independence extends to the ruling All Progressives Congress, which he said he has no intention of aligning with.

For now, Davido appears content to keep his influence outside the formal political arena.

His experience during the Osun election has given him a closer view of the pressures surrounding elections, but rather than drawing him towards public office, it appears to have strengthened his determination to remain in music.

Also read: Davido calls Nigerian politics ‘evil’ and vows to quit

His message is ultimately straightforward: he is prepared to use his voice when he believes it matters, but he does not want that voice turned into a political mandate.