JUST IN: Speak Out Against Insecurity, Stop Playing Politics – Davido Defends Stance

Afrobeats Star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has defended his decision to highlight Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis on the global stage, urging public figures to stop prioritizing politics over the truth.

His response comes after Hausa praise singer Dauda Adamu Kahutu, known as Rarara, criticized Davido’s performance at a 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown concert in America.

During the show, Davido wore a jacket with the inscription “Bring Them Home,” which featured the names of 39 students and seven teachers who were abducted by gunmen from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.

Rarara released a video online condemning the performance as “barbaric” and foolish, arguing that displaying the names of the victims on a global platform damages Nigeria’s international image and promotes terrorism.

He questioned the musician’s motives, asking, “How can you take a sensitive national security issue and project it to the world in a way that could damage the country’s image? What exactly do you stand to gain from doing that? Or was it because he had turned the matter into politics?”

Davido countered the accusation in a post on X, rejecting the idea that drawing attention to the plight of abducted citizens is politically motivated. He argued that anyone who truly cares about the nation must speak out against the ongoing violence rather than trying to silence others.

“First of all, anyone who is passionate about Nigeria will not remain silent on the insecurity that is plaguing the country, nor will they prevent others from expressing their concerns about it. Being ruthless and giving preference to selfishness or being a political pawn, and putting selfishness above the interests of the community is not something to be proud of. Be passionate about your country, stop giving preference to politics over the truth, and fear God in all you do @kahuturarara,” Davido’s translated post read.