Nigerian social media personality and aide to music star Davido, Israel DMW, has stirred political and online debate following his pointed reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Edo 2023 governorship dispute.
Reacting to the dismissal of PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo’s petition, Israel wrote via his Instagram stories. The comment, though brief, has drawn widespread attention with many interpreting it as a subtle jab at the perceived overreliance on political endorsements, spiritual backing, or godfatherism in Nigerian politics.
The Supreme Court earlier today dismissed Ighodalo’s legal challenge seeking to nullify the declaration of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor of Edo State. The apex court ruled that Ighodalo’s petition lacked merit, effectively putting an end to the post-election legal battle that has dragged on since the September 2023 polls.
Ighodalo, a prominent lawyer and the PDP’s preferred candidate, had challenged the outcome on the grounds of irregularities and vote manipulation, but the court found no substantial evidence to support those claims.
Okpebholo, who was declared winner by INEC, has since been serving as governor, though the legal tussle cast a shadow over the political climate in the state.
Israel DMW’s public support for Ighodalo was no secret during the election season, and his latest reaction is being seen as both an expression of disappointment and a reflection on the complex realities of Nigerian electoral politics, where strategy, structure, and ground-level mobilization often outweigh personal popularity or perceived ‘anointing.’
Political commentators note that the phrase “anointing doesn’t win elections” may resonate with younger voters increasingly skeptical of political endorsements and party dominance.
The ruling also signals a decisive win for the APC in Edo and solidifies Okpebholo’s position going forward as he prepares to tackle the state’s pressing issues without the cloud of litigation.
