The political drama surrounding the 2026 Osun State governorship election has taken another turn, with House of Representatives member James Faleke responding sharply to Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over allegations that he attempted to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the collation of election results.
Faleke, who represents Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos State and supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, dismissed the allegation and challenged Davido to concentrate on his music while politicians handle politics.
The exchange followed Davido’s intervention during the collation of results in Osogbo on Saturday, August 15. In a post on his verified X account, the singer alleged that Faleke was putting pressure on INEC to alter the outcome of the election.
“Hon. James Faleke, stop putting pressure on INEC to change Osun election result. Respect the wishes of Osun people. We don’t want Oyetola and AMBO,” Davido wrote.
Faleke subsequently rejected the allegation, insisting that he had never influenced or rigged an election and would not begin doing so during the Osun governorship contest.
According to reports by Daily Post, TheCable and other Nigerian media outlets, Faleke explained that his presence in Osun was simply to campaign for Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, just as Davido openly supported his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Faleke reportedly said: “I have never influenced or rigged any election before, and I will not start now. You face your music while we face our politics.”
The remarks add another layer to an already highly charged election in which the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, sought a second term against APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and other contenders.
INEC had officially scheduled the Osun governorship election for Saturday, August 15, 2026, with the commission also making arrangements for accredited observers and media organisations ahead of the poll.
The controversy is particularly notable because of the personal and political relationship between Davido and Governor Adeleke. Davido is the governor’s nephew and had publicly campaigned in support of his uncle, while Faleke was among prominent APC figures campaigning for Oyebamiji.
The dispute therefore quickly moved beyond a conventional political disagreement, drawing considerable attention because it involved one of Nigeria’s most influential entertainers and a senior federal lawmaker.
Faleke’s response effectively reframed the argument as a contest between political participation and celebrity influence. While Davido demanded that INEC respect what he described as the wishes of Osun voters, Faleke maintained that his role was to campaign for his preferred candidate and participate in the political process.
The allegations against Faleke remain allegations; neither the accusation that he pressured INEC to manipulate the result nor any claim that he attempted to rig the election should be treated as established fact without independent evidence.
What is clear, however, is that the Osun election generated intense political engagement both on the ground and online, with prominent personalities openly taking sides.
The confrontation between Davido and Faleke has consequently become one of the most talked-about side stories of the election—demonstrating once again how Nigeria’s political battles increasingly extend beyond politicians, drawing celebrities, influencers and other public figures into the centre of electoral controversies.
For now, Faleke’s message to Davido is unmistakable: “Face your music, while we face our politics.”
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