By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Popular Nigerian Afro-pop singer has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by authorities to cancel his show scheduled to come up next month, arising from an unflattering comment on the country’s economy during an interview in the US.
David Adeleke, popularly known in music circles as Davido, had during his recent appearance on American podcast Big Homies House advised Americans against relocating to Africa, particularly Nigeria.
The award-winning music star went further to describe the West African country’s economy as being in “shambles,” a statement that sparked a flurry of backlash from sympathizers of the government.
A senior member of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) an ally of President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Joe Igbokwe was among those who demanded the retraction of the comment by Davido, with an apology, arguing that the same economy made him.
Also, a presenter who works with a private TV station, TVC owned by President Tinubu had also condemned the comment by the music star.
In a post shared on his X page (formerly Twitter), Davido alleged that there is a plot to cancel his show scheduled for December 24, but stated that he does not have to perform in Nigeria.
‘‘Dem say dem go cancel my show because of my interview… Looool I don not have to perform in Nigeria,’’ the silverspoon entertainner who also holds US citizenship wrote in pidgin English on his X page.
As the avalanche of attacks from those sympathetic to the government of the day continued, Davido also defended his position on the economy. He took to his X handle, writing, “Yall m#d cus we the real ambassadors!”
Since Tinubu’s assumption of office in 2023, several investment interests have left the shores of Nigeria, citing hostile environment of operation.
Economic decisions taken by the government, including the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of foreign exchange window has caused a record inflation in the country, creating more poor people among the over 200 million population.
He has struggled to convince the population that the policies which the opposition has described as “bone crushing” will soon yield positive outcomes despite dwindling living standard of the population
Davido’s show is to hold in Lagos, the home state of President Tinubu where he ruled for eight years as governor. He also lost the state to the opposition Labour Party in the 2023 presidential poll.
