Sports
World Cup: Why Davido excites Obi
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Peter Obi, has praised Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, for using his global platform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup countdown concert to draw attention to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and the plight of abducted schoolchildren.
In a statement shared on his official X handle late Sunday, Obi described Davido’s actions as a patriotic gesture that went beyond entertainment to demand international attention for the country’s security challenges.
Davido had performed at the FIFA World Cup countdown concert wearing a customised leather jacket adorned with buttons bearing the names of pupils and teachers recently abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The back of the jacket carried the bold inscription, “BRING THEM HOME.”
Reacting to the singer’s symbolic protest, Obi said Davido deserved commendation for spotlighting the country’s security crisis on a global stage.
“Davido’s impactful gesture in drawing global attention to Nigeria’s security challenges warrants commendation. He prominently displayed the names of schoolchildren who had been held captive for an extended period, advocating for their safe return,” Obi wrote.
“By utilising his international platform, Davido effectively highlighted Nigeria’s security crisis, transcending mere entertainment.”
The former Anambra State governor argued that the level of insecurity across the country required urgent international scrutiny, especially in light of what he described as the government’s inability to effectively address the situation.
Obi also revisited his earlier comments on Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the country’s absence from the tournament was not due to a lack of talent but rather poor political leadership.
According to him, the presence of Nigerian artists on the global stage and Nigerians representing other countries at the tournament demonstrated the immense potential of the nation’s youth.
“Nigeria’s absence from the World Cup, as I previously stated, stems not from a lack of talent but from a conspicuous deficiency in political leadership that has failed to create an enabling environment for talent development,” Obi stated.
“This assertion is underscored by two notable occurrences during the tournament: the vibrant participation and impressive performances of Nigerian artists, and the presence of numerous Nigerians representing other nations on the field.”
He added that these developments should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria’s leaders to create conditions that would enable young Nigerians to maximise their talents and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“These observations present a significant imperative for Nigeria’s political leaders to actively foster an environment in which the nation’s youth can fully realise their potential,” Obi said.