The Edo Government has said Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, is free to visit the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, dismissing an online report claiming that Davido had been banned from entering the state.
An online publication had claimed that the state government had banned Davido from entering the state following recriminations between the Adelekes and Gov. Monday Okpebholo during the recently concluded Osun guber poll.
However, Afegbua described the report as false, saying the state government dissociated itself from such “spiteful behaviour by an impostor and fraud”.
“Our enemies are at it again; we did not ban Davido from entering Edo State,” Afegbua said.
He said Edo remained home to all, regardless of their beliefs, political persuasion, affinity and/or legal affiliation.
The commissioner said the state government would be willing to collaborate with Davido if he intended to perform in Edo State in the future.
Afegbua described Davido as one of the state’s illustrious sons, noting that his mother hailed from Edo State.
“Davido is one of our illustrious sons, whose mother hails from Edo State; he’s exemplary, and we are pleased to associate with him.
“Should he wish to visit Edo State, we would happily host and fete him. Whatever transpired in Osun State in the wake of last week’s election was purely politics and nothing more.
“There was nothing personal in the conversations that deepened the campaigns,” he said.
Afegbua described Davido as one of Nigeria’s global ambassadors, saying he had built bridges of understanding across socio-political divides.
He said the state government was pleased with Davido’s conduct and achievements in the music industry, expressing hope that he would win a Grammy Award.
(NAN)
