Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has clarified that he is not a registered voter in Osun State and therefore has no role in deciding the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
The governor made the clarification while dissociating himself from comments credited to Ambrose Nwogwugwu, who had described as “emotional blackmail” an appeal by music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, urging Uzodimma to use his influence to ensure a peaceful election.
Davido, a nephew of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and a supporter of his political campaign, had appealed to Uzodimma in his capacities as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State Governorship Campaign Council to help guarantee a credible and peaceful electoral process.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Oguwike Nwachuku, Uzodimma said he neither authorised Nwogwugwu nor any other individual to respond to Davido’s appeal on his behalf.
The governor described Davido as “his son” and emphasized that the singer’s involvement in the Osun election was based on his commitment to political activities and not because he was an eligible voter in the state.
“Davido remains my son. His coming to Osun for the exercise is solely because he is a committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and not one of the voters in the state’s governorship election on Saturday next week or at any other time,” Uzodimma said.
He reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to peaceful, free and credible elections, adding that the party would continue campaigning for its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, through lawful democratic means.
According to the governor, it is common in democratic systems for party leaders and campaign officials to canvass support for candidates outside their states of registration without being eligible to vote in those elections.
“It is not new in a democracy in general, and in Nigeria in particular, for party leaders and members to join their candidates and seek support for them during elections, not as electorate from the same area who are expected to cast their ballot,” he stated.
Uzodimma assured Davido of his respect and goodwill, stressing that his responsibility in the Osun governorship race is limited to supporting the APC candidate and encouraging a peaceful electoral process.
He also urged Davido, the people of Osun State and the public to disregard Nwogwugwu’s earlier comments, describing them as personal opinions that neither reflected his position nor that of the APC Osun Governorship Campaign Council.
The governor said the clarification was necessary to prevent any misunderstanding over statements attributed to his aide.
