The recent comments made by Nigerian music sensation Davido on the state of the country’s economy have sparked a heated debate among Nigerians.
The 32-year-old artiste, known for his chart-topping hits, advised Black Americans against relocating to Nigeria due to the nation’s ongoing economic challenges.
Speaking on the ‘Big Homies House’ podcast, Davido cited issues such as poor leadership, a high exchange rate, and soaring oil prices as significant obstacles facing the country.
However, his remarks have been met with widespread criticism from Nigerians, who accuse him of hypocrisy and a lack of patriotism.
One of Davido’s most vocal critics is Joe Igbokwe, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a scathing post on his Facebook page, Igbokwe questioned Davido’s grasp of economic policies and accused him of undermining the country’s leadership despite benefiting from its wealth.
“My In-law Davido has made me sad by telling the world in America that Nigeria’s economy is in shambles,” Igbokwe wrote. “This is very sad. I will advise him to retract the statement asap. Nigeria made Davido. QED!!!”
Reno Omokri, a former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, also weighed in on the controversy. Omokri encouraged Davido to take a cue from Barbadian singer and businesswoman Rihanna, who refrains from criticising her country and instead leverages her celebrity status to promote Barbados and present it in a positive light on the global stage.
“David Adeleke displayed ignorance and a lack of patriotism with that statement on a globally renowned podcast like The Big Homies House,” Omokri wrote. “Even worse, he said, ‘We do not have the best leader; that is a fact.’ It isn’t enjoyable for a young man whose uncle is a governor and should know better.”
Omokri alleged that Davido’s remarks about Nigeria’s economy reflected the situation in Osun State, governed by his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke. “And it may be that his personal experience in Osun State has made Davido take such a position. After all, Osun State, under the dancing Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, was one of the last states to increase their minimum wage to match up with the Federal Government’s new minimum wage, despite receiving 65% more federal allocation under the Tinubu government.”
The controversy has sparked a flurry of reactions from netizens, with many endorsing Davido’s statement and others criticising him for alleged hypocrisy. While some have praised Davido for speaking his mind and highlighting the country’s economic challenges, others have accused him of being ungrateful and unpatriotic.
