OSOGBO, Nigeria — Music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly placed a direct telephone call to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to inform him of the Federal Government’s decision to reverse the freezing of the state’s bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Davido, who is Governor Adeleke’s nephew, described the moment as historic, saying he personally witnessed the conversation.
The development followed the Federal Government’s decision to direct the EFCC to vacate the court order that had frozen the Osun State Government’s accounts. The accounts were frozen on August 5, 2026, barely ten days before the scheduled Osun State governorship election, a move that generated widespread political debate and public reactions across the country.
According to information released by the Presidency, President Tinubu expressed concern over the timing of the action, stating that it could create the impression of federal interference in the forthcoming governorship election. The President reportedly described the situation as embarrassing and emphasised the need to preserve public confidence in the electoral process by ensuring that government institutions operate without creating perceptions of political bias.
Presidential officials disclosed that President Tinubu personally contacted Governor Adeleke to communicate the decision to reverse the action. The telephone conversation was intended to reassure the Osun State Government that the Federal Government remained committed to upholding democratic principles and ensuring a level playing field ahead of the election.
Reacting shortly after the development, Davido took to social media to reveal that he was present when the President made the call. The award-winning singer wrote, “I was there live! I witnessed history,” a statement that quickly attracted widespread attention online and generated reactions from supporters, political observers and members of the public. His comment added a personal dimension to the development because of his close family relationship with Governor Adeleke and his longstanding involvement in political campaigns within Osun State.
The reversal of the account freeze has become a significant political development ahead of the governorship election, with many observers viewing it as an effort to avoid actions that could undermine confidence in the democratic process. Political analysts note that financial restrictions imposed close to an election often attract heightened public scrutiny because of their potential impact on governance and political perceptions, regardless of the legal basis for such actions.
Although the EFCC’s original decision was made through legal processes, the Presidency maintained that reversing the action at this stage was necessary to eliminate any suggestion that federal institutions were influencing the electoral environment. Government officials reiterated that all agencies must continue to perform their constitutional responsibilities in a manner that preserves public trust and confidence.
The incident has further intensified political discussions ahead of the Osun governorship election, with stakeholders calling for peaceful campaigns, respect for democratic institutions and strict adherence to the rule of law. Observers believe the Federal Government’s intervention is likely to remain a major talking point as political parties continue preparations for the poll.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has welcomed the decision, while attention now shifts to the forthcoming election, where political parties, candidates and security agencies are expected to work together to ensure a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process.
