Nigerian-American Afrobeats star Davido has found himself at the center of criticism after sharing his excitement about voting in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. On October 5, 2024, as Election Day in the United States approached, Davido posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) of himself proudly displaying an “I voted” sticker, celebrating his participation in the democratic process.
In his post, Davido expressed his joy at casting his vote for the first time, marking a significant personal milestone. “First time voting in a presidential election! Feeling blessed to be able to exercise my civil right,” the artist wrote alongside the photo. However, while many of his followers congratulated him, his announcement quickly attracted negative attention from a number of Nigerian fans.
Several Nigerians took to the comment section to criticize the artist for not showing the same level of enthusiasm or engagement during Nigeria’s presidential elections in 2023. Many accused him of failing to vote in his home country, highlighting what they perceived as hypocrisy in his actions. “Why are you celebrating voting in America but didn’t show this energy during Nigeria’s election?” one user wrote, while others made similar remarks questioning his commitment to Nigeria’s political process.
The backlash centered on the fact that Davido, despite his fame and influence in Nigeria, did not publicly advocate for voting in Nigeria’s highly contentious 2023 presidential elections. In contrast, the U.S. election seemed to receive more of his attention, leading to accusations that the artist was prioritizing American politics over his own country’s democratic processes.
In response to the criticism, Davido has yet to publicly address the comments regarding his Nigerian voting history. However, the controversy has sparked a wider debate about the role of celebrities in political engagement, particularly in a country like Nigeria, where voter apathy and disillusionment with the political system are common.
Despite the criticisms, some supporters of Davido defended his right to participate in the U.S. election, pointing out that, as a dual citizen, he is entitled to engage in the political process of both countries. “He has a right to vote in America, just like any other citizen,” one fan argued. “You can’t expect him to solve all the issues in Nigeria; we all have to do our part.”
