By Oscar Okhifo
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, and Director of News at Television Continental (TVC), Babajide Otitoju, have criticised calls for United States President Donald Trump to intervene or monitor the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, insisting that Nigeria’s democratic process should be protected and managed primarily by domestic institutions.
The controversy followed an appeal by Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, to Trump and the international community to pay attention to the August 15 governorship election amid concerns over possible violence, intimidation and electoral malpractice.
Davido, who is the nephew of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, said he could seek international attention if the election was not conducted transparently.
His comments have since triggered reactions from politicians, journalists and other Nigerians, with opinions divided over whether foreign intervention or international scrutiny could strengthen electoral accountability.
Reacting in a post on his verified X account, Sani dismissed the suggestion that Trump could influence the outcome of the Osun election.
“Those who are trying to drag Mr Trump into our elections are just wasting their time. Trump is not Obama or Biden. He has the least interest in the credibility or otherwise of elections in Africa,” the former senator wrote.
Sani argued that Trump was preoccupied with major international crises and domestic political battles and was unlikely to devote significant attention to a state election in Nigeria.
He cited issues including the Strait of Hormuz, the Gaza conflict, the war in Ukraine and political calculations in the United States as matters that were more likely to command Trump’s attention than developments in Osun State.
The former lawmaker also referenced elections in countries such as Tanzania, Uganda and Cameroon, arguing that they had not attracted significant attention from the American president.
While Sani questioned the relevance of Trump to Nigeria’s electoral politics, Otitoju criticised what he described as the growing tendency among Nigerians to look abroad for solutions to domestic problems.
Speaking during a discussion on TVC, Otitoju said it had become increasingly common to hear Nigerians call on Trump to “help us”, both on social media and in the mainstream media.
“It is funny that my friend Davido is calling on Trump. Who made Trump the prefect of nations?” Otitoju asked.
He said Davido’s appeal was particularly problematic because of his close relationship with one of the leading political actors in the election.
“If I had married early, I could have given birth to someone who is Davido’s age, so I can talk to him like a son. He is being childish right now. Trump could easily conclude that he has a dog in the game. He is an Adeleke, and that makes him an interested party.
“Whatever he says or does can be viewed as biased,” Otitoju said.
The TVC news director maintained that the Osun election was a Nigerian affair and should not be internationalised.
“Osun election does not concern Trump at all,” he said.
Otitoju also criticised what he described as the exaggerated perception of Trump among some Nigerians, arguing that Nigerians should focus on strengthening their own democratic institutions rather than expecting external actors to solve the country’s problems.
“Let us make Nigeria work and leave Trump alone. He has not helped his own image in America,” he said.
Beyond the controversy over Trump’s involvement, Otitoju said the central concern ahead of the election should be the integrity and credibility of the voting process.
He called on security agencies to provide adequate protection for voters, electoral officials and election materials before, during and after the election, while urging voters to reject vote-buying.
“The government should ensure that security is top-notch, and the people should ensure they do not sell their votes,” he said.
Otitoju expressed concern over what he described as the growing practice of vote-buying ahead of election day.
“It is already going on. We have seen videos of people swearing with the Bible after collecting money and promising to vote for a particular candidate.
“Vote-buying is no longer something that happens only on election day; it is already happening now in Osun. They take money to people in their homes and tell them to vote for them and cook a good pot of soup,” he said.
He also recalled an account he attributed to the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola concerning traditional oath-taking practices allegedly associated with elections in parts of Osun State.
According to Otitoju, Abiola had spoken about situations in which some voters were allegedly required to swear an oath before collecting money and were made to believe that there would be spiritual consequences if they failed to vote as promised.
“That may sound strange, but it was said to be real. There is no extent politicians cannot go,” he said.
The debate over Davido’s appeal has continued to generate reactions across social media and conventional media platforms, with Nigerians divided over whether international scrutiny could help deter electoral malpractice and violence or undermine confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Supporters of Davido’s position argue that international attention could discourage violence and electoral manipulation, while critics maintain that inviting foreign leaders into a domestic electoral contest could compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty and weaken faith in its electoral institutions.
Political activities have intensified across Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, in which Governor Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election.
The election is expected to attract significant national attention, with political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders stepping up preparations ahead of the poll.