Davido Accuses Faleke of Pressuring INEC as Osun Election Results Draw Fresh Controversy

Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has accused a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figure, James Faleke, of allegedly putting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the outcome of the Osun State governorship election.

Davido made the allegation in a social media post as voting and the collation of results in the keenly contested Osun governorship election generated heightened political tension across the state. The singer called on Faleke to respect the choice of Osun voters and refrain from actions that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

The allegation has attracted attention because of Davido’s close connection to Osun politics. He is a nephew of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking another term in office, making the singer’s intervention particularly significant amid the intense contest between the ruling political camp and the APC.

In his message, Davido specifically named Faleke and accused him of attempting to influence INEC’s handling of the election results. The singer’s intervention centred on the principle that the final outcome should reflect ballots legitimately cast by voters rather than political pressure or interference.

Faleke is a prominent APC politician and federal lawmaker who has previously been involved in major electoral disputes. His name is historically associated with the 2015 Kogi governorship controversy, when he challenged the decision surrounding the replacement of the late Abubakar Audu as APC’s candidate after Audu’s death during the election process. The Supreme Court ultimately rejected Faleke’s claim to inherit Audu’s votes.

The 2026 Osun election has been closely watched because of the political rivalry surrounding Governor Adeleke’s bid for another term. The election was scheduled for August 15, 2026, with the incumbent facing the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, among other contenders.

The atmosphere surrounding the poll had already been politically charged, with competing camps trading accusations and calling on electoral and security authorities to ensure that the process remained peaceful and credible. President Bola Tinubu had also urged INEC and security agencies to guarantee a free, fair and transparent election in Osun.

Davido has previously used his substantial social-media following to draw attention to concerns surrounding the Osun election. His involvement has generated both support and criticism, with some Nigerians arguing that his family connection to the governor gives him a direct interest in the contest, while his supporters maintain that citizens and public figures have a right to demand electoral transparency.

For INEC, the controversy reinforces the importance of transparent result collation and clear communication throughout the electoral process. The commission has repeatedly maintained in previous elections that its responsibility is to ensure that only valid votes determine winners, while electoral stakeholders have continued to demand safeguards against manipulation and interference.

As the Osun results are collated and the final declaration approaches, attention will now focus on whether the competing political camps accept the outcome or challenge it through the appropriate legal channels. Until any competent authority establishes otherwise, Davido’s allegation against Faleke remains an unproven claim, while the ultimate credibility of the election will depend on the integrity of the documented results and the lawful processes used to resolve any disputes.