Afrobeats star Davido don cause big controversy with im action for FIFA World Cup countdown concert for America. Di singer wear jacket wey get inscription “Bring Them Home” and names of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oyo State. Some pipo dey praise am, but oda pipo like Hausa praise singer Rarara dey criticize am well well.
Rarara, wey im real name na Dauda Adamu Kahutu, don accuse Davido of embarrassing Nigeria for global stage. For video wey im post for im verified Facebook page, Rarara describe Davido action as barbaric. Im say, “How you go take sensitive national security issue and project am to di world for way wey fit damage di country image?” Rarara also allege say Davido dey use di matter to campaign for im uncle wey dey contest election for Accord Party, and to paint current administration black.
But Denge Josef Onoh, Chairman of Forum of Former Members of Enugu State House of Assembly and former Southeast spokesman for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, don come out to defend Davido. Onoh accuse Reno Omokri of hypocrisy for criticizing Davido advocacy. Onoh say Davido action na one-time, victim-centered awareness effort by Nigerian artist for global stage. “Davido intent na to pressure government to protect lives and secure releases, not to glorify criminals,” Onoh state.
Onoh point to Omokri own book “Leah Sharibu: The Girl Boko Haram Left Behind” and years of advocacy for Leah Sharibu. Im say Omokri position Leah Sharibu as Nigeria Malala and sustain global attention on Boko Haram atrocities through dat campaign. “Dis na exact approach Omokri now condemn Davido for,” Onoh say. Im add say Leah Sharibu remain symbol of Dapchi abduction largely because of high-profile advocacy, including Omokri own.
Onoh also mention say Omokri don level grave accusations against President Tinubu for past, calling am “drug lord,” “international drug baron,” and “heroin drug cartel” figure for global platforms. Onoh note say court records later admit videos of Omokri statements for legal proceedings. While Omokri don since praise Tinubu after im ambassadorial appointment, Onoh say past rhetoric far harsher than Davido social media response.
Onoh conclude say Davido, as private citizen and global artist, use im platform to highlight Nigerian suffering, while Omokri, as former presidential aide and ambassador-designate, level grave accusations against President internationally. Im say positive PR and accountability fit coexist, and complete silence enable impunity and government complacency.
Rarara however warn say security matters delicate and no be something pipo suppose casually jump into. Im claim say abduction of Oyo schoolchildren and teachers follow arrest of some terrorists by security operatives. “Did Davido know di reason behind di abduction of those schoolchildren? Some terrorists were arrested. When efforts to secure dia release fail, di kingpins kidnap innocent pipo to force authorities to negotiate,” Rarara explain. Im add say President and security agencies don vow say terrorists no go release and children go be rescued, and for dat delicate period, Davido choose to embarrass Nigeria for global stage.
