Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has challenged renowned Hausa musician Dauda Rarara to speak openly against the growing insecurity in Nigeria, insisting that political loyalty should never outweigh concern for citizens affected by violence and abductions.
The disagreement followed Davido’s appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles on June 10, where he wore a customised jacket carrying the message “Bring Them Home” and the names of more than 40 pupils and teachers kidnapped on May 15 in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Reacting in a video posted on Facebook, Rarara criticised the singer’s action, describing it as inappropriate and potentially harmful to Nigeria’s image before the international community.
According to the singer, highlighting the names of abducted victims at a global event amounted to projecting insecurity issues in a manner that could damage the country’s reputation.
Rarara questioned the motive behind the gesture, suggesting that the issue may have been politicised.
“I rarely respond to issues like this, but what Davido did was unacceptable. Why take a national security challenge and present it to the world in a way that could tarnish Nigeria’s image? What exactly was the objective?” he asked.
He further argued that insecurity should not be used as a political tool and alleged that some public figures and content creators often exploit such issues for political or personal gains.
Rarara also linked Davido’s action to political developments, referencing the political affiliations of the singer’s family and suggesting that partisan interests may have influenced the public display.
The musician maintained that security matters are often more complex than they appear and should not be discussed without understanding the broader circumstances surrounding them.
Referring to the Oyo abduction incident, he claimed that some of the kidnappers were acting in response to the arrest of members of their network and that security agencies were already working to secure the release of the victims.
He argued that publicising the issue internationally during ongoing rescue efforts could undermine the country and inadvertently benefit criminal elements.
The comments quickly drew a reaction from Davido, who responded on X with a brief but mocking post that read, “Debidooo,” apparently poking fun at Rarara’s pronunciation of his name.
Rarara fired back with the Hausa phrase “Kashiga taitayinka,” a dismissive expression loosely interpreted as a call for someone to regain their senses.
Davido escalated the exchange by replying in Hausa, saying that he would have engaged in a serious discussion if Rarara possessed adequate knowledge of the issues involved.
In a subsequent statement shared online, the singer defended his stance, insisting that no patriotic Nigerian should remain silent while insecurity continues to affect communities across the country.
According to Davido, genuine love for Nigeria requires citizens to speak out against violence and support efforts aimed at protecting innocent lives.
He argued that discouraging people from expressing concern over insecurity only worsens the situation and allows political considerations to overshadow the welfare of ordinary citizens.
The singer further criticised what he described as blind loyalty and the tendency of some individuals to prioritise political interests over national concerns.
Davido stressed that patriotism should be rooted in truth, compassion and accountability rather than partisan allegiance.
He called on Nigerians to place the interests of the country above politics and urged citizens to show greater empathy for victims of insecurity and their families.
The exchange has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with supporters of both figures debating whether public advocacy on insecurity helps draw attention to national challenges or risks damaging the country’s international reputation.
