Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has challenged Nigerian politicians to account for how they acquired their wealth before venturing into politics.
Davido made the remark after television host Rufai Oseni shared a clip from an interview in which Peter Obi, a 2027 presidential candidate, spoke about his business career and the sources of his wealth.
In the interview, Oseni asked whether other Nigerian politicians could explain how they made their money in the same manner as Obi.
“Can every Nigerian politician tell us how they made their money like this?” Oseni asked.
Davido, reacting to the clip, responded: “None of them can try it.”
The comment has sparked reactions on social media, coming amid renewed scrutiny of the wealth and assets of Nigerian political office holders.
During the interview, Obi explained that his business career began long before he entered politics.
The former Anambra State governor said he operated a brand and market management company and held the franchise for Heinz products in Nigeria, including salad cream and baked beans.
He also said he was the sole agent for South African Breweries and worked with pharmaceutical company Novartis, among other international companies.
According to Obi, the business he built later became associated with the Next Cash and Carry retail chain after he exited the venture and his brother took over its management.
He further claimed that he owned substantial shares in two or three banks and served as chairman of at least one bank before becoming governor of Anambra State.
Obi made the disclosures while responding to questions about allegations linked to the Pandora Papers and reported offshore assets attributed to him.
Asked about assets reportedly worth about $15 million held offshore, Obi said his wealth predated his entry into politics and traced it to his business activities.
He also recalled his years in the United Kingdom, saying he received one of the first American Express Platinum cards issued to a limited number of customers worldwide in 1987.
“If there’s anything to regret in my life, it’s going into politics because it made me poorer,” Obi said, while adding that he was nevertheless glad to have served.
Davido’s intervention has added a celebrity voice to the ongoing debate over transparency in the finances of Nigerian politicians, with his brief response effectively challenging political office holders to explain the origins of their wealth.
Obi is seeking the presidency ahead of the 2027 election under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
.
