[TRENDING] Ex-presidential aide faces backlash for using Tyla’s Grammy win to mock Davido
Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has come under fire on social media after referencing South African singer Tyla’s Grammy victory to taunt Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, during an online exchange over the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The exchange began after presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu had directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to lift the court order restricting the Osun State Government’s accounts following a telephone conversation with Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Reacting to the announcement on X, Davido, whose uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, is seeking re-election on the Accord Party platform, wrote, “I was there live! I witnessed history!!!”
Ahmad, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), responded by saying he had bookmarked the post.
“This tweet is bookmarked. It will serve as a reference for future events. I know you will come back here to lament if the August 15 results don’t go your way,” he wrote.
Davido replied by alleging that election results could be manipulated.
“Of course, because same way you clowns can call the INEC Chairman to write Election results… guy free me my own no good,” he wrote.
The singer also mocked Ahmad’s performance in a previous party primary, saying, “U got 16 votes bro in primaries!!”
Ahmad then shifted the conversation from politics to music by posting an image of a Grammy Award and asking:
“We have talked enough about the number of votes I got in my primaries.
“Can we now talk about the number of Grammy Awards you have won from your five nominations, David? Fair is fair.”
He further claimed that Davido’s comments about election manipulation suggested he lacked confidence in his preferred candidate.
“In politics, it is always those who know they lack a solid structure and have no real support on the ground who start screaming and crying rigging even before a single ballot is cast.
“David, for you to start dishing out such excuses now, we know what that means. You already know what the outcome will be. The good people of Osun are taking back their state on August 15th and we will be here to celebrate with them,” Ahmad wrote.
Davido responded by arguing that success should not be judged solely by awards.
“You measure success by one award. I measure it by sold-out arenas, billions of streams, global influence, and people singing my songs across continents.
“You had government backing and still couldn’t convince enough people to back you in your small constituency.
“You’re a small boy who came into politics by accident.
“You spent 8yrs with the ex president and couldn’t make a change in your poverty stricken community.
“We all have different trophies Bashir, I’ll keep inspiring the young ones and generations to come while you wait for the next government job to get crumbs,” the singer wrote.
Ahmad later posted an AI-generated image of Davido holding a Grammy Award with the caption, “Congratulations, David.”
He subsequently shared a photograph of Tyla holding her Grammy Award with the caption, “Water. @davido.”
The post sparked widespread criticism on X, with many users accusing Ahmad of poor judgment for comparing a South African artiste with a Nigerian musician amid concerns over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Several users argued that if Ahmad wanted to mock Davido over the Grammy issue, he should have referenced Nigerian Grammy winners such as Burna Boy, Wizkid or Tems instead of Tyla.
Ahmad served as Special Assistant on Digital Communications to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reacting to the post, one user, @Muhammad_2005__, wrote, “Imagine. Stop shaming us please,” while @TheFactTech90 said, “You’re so Insensitive.”
Another user, @Abba_tx, described the post as “So annoying,” while @femi1055 wrote, “You’re disgraceful for this post.”
@SaintEmmyyy commented, “You need to act your age fr,” while @KawuGambo simply described the post as “Tragic.”
Some users also questioned Ahmad’s decision to use Tyla in the comparison.
One commenter wrote, “If you wanted to compare Grammys, why not use Burna Boy, Wizkid or Tems instead of a South African?” Another added, “Using Tyla against a fellow Nigerian at this time is unnecessary.”
Others revisited Davido’s criticism of Ahmad’s political career, with @marcus_marcel_ highlighting the singer’s remark: “‘You spent 8yrs with the ex president and couldn’t make a change in your poverty stricken community..’ End of Discussion.”
However, some users defended Ahmad’s comments or shifted attention back to Davido’s Grammy record. One user, @OlasunkanmiYaki, wrote, “You’re trolling the wrong guy @BashirAhmaad,” suggesting the former presidential aide had picked the wrong opponent.