Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, better known by his stage name Davido, has been praised by Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, for using his international platform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown concert to protest ongoing insecurity and mass kidnappings in Nigeria.
Obi called the singer’s acts an act of patriotism that went beyond simple amusement to warrant critical international examination in a statement released late Sunday via his official X feed.
It was reported that the musician wore a customized leather jacket with buttons that bore the names of the students and teachers who were recently kidnapped in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The jacket’s back was boldly inscribed with the words “BRING THEM HOME.”
“Davido deserves praise for his powerful gesture that brought Nigeria’s security issues to the attention of the world. He called for the safe return of pupils who had been held captive for a long time by conspicuously displaying their names.
“Davido successfully brought attention to Nigeria’s security issue by using his global platform, going beyond simple entertainment,” Obi said.
The former governor of Anambra condition went on to say that the federation’s general condition of insecurity deserves immediate international attention, particularly in light of the government’s alleged incapacity to resolve the issue.
Obi, who had previously bemoaned the Super Eagles’ exclusion from the 2026 World Cup, insisted that Nigeria’s failure to make it to the competition was not the result of a lack of raw athletic ability, pointing out that Nigerians participate in the competition through international music performances and by playing for other nations.
“As I previously said, Nigeria’s exclusion from the World Cup is not due to a lack of talent, but rather to a glaring lack of political leadership that has failed to create an enabling environment for talent development,” Obi claimed.
“This claim is supported by two noteworthy events that occurred during the tournament: the numerous Nigerians representing other countries on the field, as well as the lively involvement and outstanding performances of Nigerian artists.
“These findings highlight a critical need for Nigeria’s political leaders to actively cultivate an environment where the country’s youth can reach their full potential.”
The official 2026 FIFA World Cup soundtrack CD features four of Nigeria’s biggest music stars: Davido, Burna Boy, Rema, and Ayra Starr.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially opened in Mexico City on Thursday, ahead of the tournament’s opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa. Nigerian Afrobeats artist Burna Boy and Colombian pop icon Shakira stunned the Estadio Azteca with their performances.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, Nigerian spectacular singer Divine Ikubor, better known by her stage name Rema, reportedly made a memorable appearance by performing live with Brazilian superstar Anitta and Lisa from BLACKPINK on their joint song, Goals.
