Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has ignited a firestorm of online controversy following a high-profile visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Lagos residence on Tuesday.
Accompanied by his billionaire father, Adedeji Adeleke, and his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, the singer shared a series of photos on Instagram, capturing moments with the president and First Lady Remi Tinubu.
While the visit underscores the Adeleke family’s growing political influence, it has also exposed what many Nigerians see as a double standard in public criticism of celebrities with political ties.
The images, showcasing Davido’s warm interactions with the Tinubus, drew mixed reactions. Some fans lauded the singer as a cultural ambassador, celebrating his family’s prominence in both business and politics. “Davido is not just a musician; he’s a bridge between culture and power,” one supporter wrote on X.
However, others were quick to call out what they perceive as selective outrage among Nigerians. Critics pointed out that while Davido’s visit was met with relative leniency, other celebrities like Toyin Abraham, Eniola Badmus, Seyi Law, and Yul Edochie faced intense trolling for their open support of Tinubu during and after the 2023 elections.
Social media platforms, particularly X, buzzed with accusations of hypocrisy. One user posted, “Selective hate is crazy. Because it’s Davido, everyone acts like Tinubu’s doing great. But let it be Toyin or Eniola, and the insults fly.”
Another remarked, “The same people dragging Seyi Law and Toyin Abraham are suddenly quiet. Is it because Davido’s phone is too shiny to troll?” The sentiment reflects frustration over perceived inconsistency in how Nigerians hold celebrities accountable for their political affiliations.
One X user expressed disappointment, referencing Davido’s past criticism of Nigeria’s challenges on a podcast: “He said Nigeria’s not good, but now he’s smiling with Tinubu. Why not say it to his face with that same energy?”
The comment highlights a broader sentiment that Nigerians often criticize the government online but soften their stance in person.
The controversy underscores a deeper issue in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape: the complex relationship between celebrity influence, political allegiance, and public perception.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Davido’s visit to President Bola Tinubu on June 3, 2025, highlights the stark inconsistency in how Nigerians judge celebrities’ political affiliations. Davido, accompanied by his influential family, faced minimal backlash for the visit; other celebrities like Toyin Abraham and Seyi Law endured intense trolling for similar associations with Tinubu.
Social media reactions highlight a troubling selective outrage, where public perception of a celebrity’s status or likability appears to dictate the level of criticism, revealing a deeper issue of fairness and accountability in Nigeria’s socio-political discourse.
