Speaking during an interview on Symfoni, Tope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, discussed the nature of statements made by Nigerian music star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, on social media, particularly when such comments touch on political issues and public affairs.
Ajayi said social media gives public figures considerable freedom to express their opinions, but argued that such freedom also comes with responsibility, especially when statements involve allegations or claims that could influence public opinion and potentially create tension among citizens.
He noted that the level of freedom available to Davido on Nigerian social media platforms might not be possible in some other countries, where authorities could respond more firmly to statements considered reckless or unsupported by evidence, adding that public figures should be mindful of the consequences of their words when discussing sensitive political matters.
In Ajayi’s words: “If 99% of what Davido says or tweets on social media in many countries, he wouldn’t dare it because he would be picked up and asked to provide evidence. He wouldn’t dare all the things that he does on social media in Rwanda or Ethiopia in terms of politics because you don’t make reckless claims that you don’t have evidence for, and these things are capable of inciting the public into violence.”
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