Davido Says Politicians Often Abandon Their Promises to Nigerians After Gaining Power

 

Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has criticised Nigeria’s political culture, saying some individuals who claim to fight for the people often change their positions after gaining political power.

The singer made the remarks during an appearance on the I Wanna Talk podcast, where he reflected on the 2020 #EndSARS protests and his initial hope that the demonstrations would lead to meaningful changes in Nigeria. 

Davido said he had been encouraged by the widespread participation of Nigerians during the protests and initially believed the movement could bring about lasting reforms. However, he expressed disappointment that the momentum appeared to fade, particularly as social activities resumed towards the end of the year.

He recalled that he eventually became discouraged, saying people had families and personal responsibilities and could not continue putting their lives at risk indefinitely. 

The singer also acknowledged that Nigerians experience different levels of economic hardship, noting that his privileged background makes it difficult for him to fully understand the struggles faced by people dealing with severe financial difficulties.

He urged Nigerians to demand positive change, arguing that improving the country requires changes not only among political leaders but also in the attitudes and conduct of citizens.

Davido further observed that some people who participated in protests against poor governance have since become involved in political campaigns, raising questions about consistency and accountability among those who previously demanded change. 

“We can’t change our society until we change our mindset as a people. Today, the same people that were protesting are campaigning for politicians. Those who claim to fight for the people often change when they get power,” he said.

The comments come amid renewed public discussions about political accountability and the 2027 general elections. Davido has also recently spoken about his personal political position, saying he has not settled on a presidential candidate for the next election.