A social media dispute has erupted after political praise singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara faced criticism for remarks he made against Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, regarding the singer’s message on insecurity in Nigeria.
The controversy began after Davido appeared at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles wearing a jacket bearing the inscription “Bring Them Home” alongside the names of abducted schoolchildren from Oyo State, a move widely interpreted as a call for urgent action against insecurity in the country.
Rarara, in a video circulated online, faulted Davido’s gesture, arguing that it portrayed Nigeria negatively and should not have been showcased before an international audience.
His remarks, however, quickly generated reactions online, with several users criticising him and accusing him of targeting the singer for raising concerns about insecurity rather than addressing the challenge itself.
The controversy intensified after Davido responded on X (formerly Twitter) with a brief post that read “Debidoo,” a light-hearted jab at the way Rarara pronounced his name.
While some social media users supported Rarara’s position that Nigeria’s image should be safeguarded, many others defended Davido, insisting that he merely used his influence to spotlight the issues of kidnapping and insecurity.
An X user named @AyshaHamman advised the Afrobeats star to ignore the singer entirely, writing: “Hello, @davido, trust me, that clown isn’t worth all the attention. We don’t like him here, and he is fully aware of his idiocy. He’s a local champion who wants to get your attention so that your replies can promote him. He really isn’t that relevant.”
Another user, @Sadeeq_Malo, wrote: “We, the educated Northerners, respectfully distance ourselves from Rarara’s views and conduct. His opinions are personal and should not be mistaken for the position of the wider Northern educated community.”
Echoing this sentiment, @uxtazerhzee added that watching Rarara’s response video only proved that “university is not a scam. Education helps people think critically and express their arguments in a clear and convincing way.” Many people also expressed deep disappointment that Rarara, who lives in the North, chose to attack an artist instead of speaking up for the hundreds of kidnapping victims in his own backyard.
User @UsmanZannaah pointed out: “Funny how Rarara found his voice to attack Davido but couldn’t find it when northern children were being kidnapped in their hundreds. Davido used an international stage to demand justice for abducted pupils and teachers. Rarara is upset because he reminded the world of a crisis they preferred to ignore.”
Sharing a similar view, @Msageer_ stated: “I feel disappointed as a Northerner that Rarara could not say anything about Gen. Rabe even after his death, despite different cases of kidnapping and killings. Yet he is now accusing @davido (Debido) of protecting terrorists and exposing Nigeria’s secrets? What he did is the least he could do. What about you?”
However, some critics argued that the “Debidoo” remark amounted to a direct slight against the Hausa language and identity.
An X user, @A__yabo, warned Northerners against rushing to support the pop star, saying, ‘Davido mocked the Hausa accent with the ‘Debidoo’ clapback, yet many northerners are still rushing to side with him over Rarara.’ Rarara may have his flaws… but one thing you hardly see is southerners abandoning their own to support a northerner in a public dispute. I have no problem with anyone demanding good governance, but don’t disrespect our language accent while at it.”
For his part, Davido issued a statement in both Hausa and English, defending his actions and urging Nigerians not to remain silent about the country’s challenges merely to shield politicians from criticism.
“Damn it, every Nigerian should not stay silent about the insecurity plaguing the nation,” Davido wrote. “Showing bias and prioritising personal or political interests… is nothing to be proud of. Be a patriot for your country, stop prioritising politics over the truth, and fear God in everything you do.”
