The Edo State Government has said Afrobeat maestro, David Adeleke, popularly called Davido, is free to visit the state, dismissing a report that he had been banned from entering the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
An online publication had claimed that the state government had banned Davido from entering the state.
However, Afegbua described the claim as false, saying the government dissociated itself from what he described as such spiteful behaviour.
The statement read, “Our enemies are at it again; we did not ban Davido from entering Edo State. The proclaimer of that ban is an enemy of Edo State; an impostor, and a fraud.
“The Government of Edo State hereby dissociates itself from such spiteful behaviour, and wishes to state further that Edo State is home to all, regardless of their belief, political persuasion, affinity and or legal affiliation.
“As a matter of fact, should Davido intend to perform in Edo State in future, the state will be willing to collaborate and partner with him.”
The commissioner said Governor Monday Okpebholo was very well balanced at home with various demographics and their leanings.
He described Davido as one of the state’s illustrious sons, noting that his mother hailed from the 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 said Davido had remained one of Nigeria’s global ambassadors, adding that he had built bridges of understanding across socio-political divides.
“Davido is a young man who has remained one of Nigeria’s global ambassadors, doing us proud and building bridges of understanding across the socio-political divides.
“As a government, we are pleased with his conduct, commitment and calculated conquest in the music industry. Indeed, we look forward to him being awarded a Grammy title,” he said.
By Adeyinka Adedipe
