We did not ban Davido from entering Edo – Information commissioner

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The Edo State Government has debunked a claim that it has banned Afrobeat musician, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, from entering the state.

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This was contained in a statement on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua.

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PUNCH Online had reported that the Senior Special Assistant on Digital Media to Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, Apostle Kassy Chukwu, had said Davido should not expect to perform in the state for the remainder of the governor’s tenure, amid the ongoing dispute between the singer and the governor.

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Chukwu made the declaration in a video shared on YouTube by Peniel TV International Benin City, Nigeria, on Thursday.

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The aide’s comments followed Davido’s refusal to apologise for remarks he made about Okpebholo after the governor criticised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s uncle, during the build-up to the August 15 governorship election.

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Davido had earlier shared what appeared to be Okpebholo’s WAEC result on his Instagram Story and later defended the post during an interview, saying he had no reason to apologise.

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Reacting, Chukwu said Davido had been banned from performing in Edo State for the remainder of Okpebholo’s administration.

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“You have been banned from coming to Edo State to perform. We don’t want to see you in Edo again,” he said.

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He accused Davido of making disrespectful remarks about the governor and his family, adding that the singer would not be welcome in the state for the remaining years of the administration.

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In a statement by the Edo State Government, Afegbua said that the government dissociated itself from such spiteful behaviour and stated that the state was home to all, regardless of their beliefs, political persuasion, affinity and/or legal affiliation.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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The commissioner said that Governor Monday Okpebholo was well balanced at home with various demographics and their leanings, adding, “Davido is one of our illustrious sons, whose mother hails from Edo State; he’s exemplary, and we are pleased to associate with him.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.

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