Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, aka Davido, has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in the governorship election that will hold on Saturday in Osun which has been characterised by violence and rising casualties.

Fifteen thousand police operatives would be deployed for the August 15 election. An additional 10,000 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps would be on the ground to provide security cover during the election on Saturday.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s relative, is seeking re-election.

“President Donald Trump, I am calling your attention to the situation in Osun State, Nigeria, as we approach the election.

“There are growing concerns about tension and the possibility of violence, intimidation, or disruption of the democratic process. Osun people deserve to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely, peacefully, and without fear,” Davido said on Tuesday in a statement.

Davido appealed to the U.S. and the international community to pay close attention to the election.

“We do not want bloodshed. We do not want intimidation. We want peace, transparency, and a free and fair election. @realDonaldTrump,” he stated.

Fourteen political parties are expected to participate in the contest.

Some days ago, the police command in Osun launched an investigation into the attack on Independent National Electoral Commission officials in Odo-Otin council area by hoodlums, who carted away Permanent Voter Cards. Several weeks before the August 15 poll, a wave of violence had overshadowed the state.

Meanwhile, the Campaign for Democracy Human Rights Advocacy Civil Society Coalition, Niger chapter, has urged President Bola Tinubu’s government and relevant agencies to ensure credible, peaceful and violence-free elections in Osun.

Mr Adeleke warned that Osun residents would resist any attempts to rig the election, invoking the potential repeat of the political violence that erupted in the Old Western Region and culminated in a military putsch.

Mr Adeleke, who made the remarks while addressing his supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda council area, said residents would actively participate in the election and do everything possible to protect their votes.

Citing his personal support and the Accord Party’s endorsement of Mr Tinubu for a second term in 2027, Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, I’m passing this message to you. What do you want Osun to do? We have endorsed you. What happened? They are killing us. They are killing Yoruba people. The police have been compromised. The kidnappers are there, (but) the police are not doing anything about it.

“President Tinubu, I am using this medium to tell you, so you would not say I did not make an outcry. I am the chief security officer of Osun state. President Tinubu, I am passing this message to you, Osun will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and vote and defend our votes. I am repeating it. Don’t let what happened in 1983 repeat itself.”

In 1983, a political crisis in the old Ondo state snowballed into deadly riots and arson in Akure, Ibadan, and Ondo, with government buildings, Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) offices, and properties belonging to National Party of Nigeria (NPN) politicians were set alight because Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Governor Adekunle Ajasin was controversially declared defeated by Akin Omoboriowo of the NPN. Following the conflagration, the military gang of Muhammadu Buhari toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari.

Mr Adeleke alleged that former governor Adegboyega Oyetola was responsible for obstructing the disbursement of funds meant for Osun.

Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, Osun people and Accord Party have endorsed you as our presidential candidate. Why are we suffering? Why is our money being kept? Oyetola needs to be called to order. We all gave birth to children. Over the innocent blood of other people’s children being killed, God will take revenge.

“What happened? President Tinubu: he (Mr Oyetola) is fighting with everyone. He is the one who is making you fight with everyone. Oyetola needs to be called to order.”