Nigerian music star Davido has criticised prominent Hausa singer Dauda Rarara over comments regarding insecurity in Nigeria, insisting that public figures should not remain silent while citizens suffer.
The exchange began after Davido appeared at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles on June 10 wearing a customised jacket carrying the inscription “Bring Them Home” and the names of more than 40 pupils and teachers abducted on May 15 in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Reacting in a video shared on Facebook, Rarara condemned the gesture and argued that projecting insecurity-related issues internationally could damage Nigeria’s image.
“I do not usually reply or react to issues like this, but what Davido did was barbaric. In my opinion, Davido and those who share his way of thinking are only behaving foolishly.
“How can you promote Ansaru terrorists or insecurity-related issues to the whole world? How can you take a sensitive national security issue and project it to the world in a way that could damage the country’s image? What exactly do you stand to gain from doing that?
“Davido took the names of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, wrote them on the Nigerian flag and displayed it in America. What was the purpose? What did he hope to achieve? Or was it because he had turned the matter into politics?”
Rarara also questioned whether political interests influenced Davido’s action.
“Is it because his uncle is contesting an election on Accord Party and Tinubu is in APC? Is that why insecurity must become a campaign tool? Anyone who campaigns with insecurity is insane, because he does not fully understand what it entails.
“What Davido did is similar to removing his own mother’s wrapper, taking a photograph of her and travelling to America to display it for the whole world to see, only to ask people to help cover her up again. What kind of thinking is that?
“Insecurity is not something people should casually jump into. There are facts and circumstances that ordinary members of the public may not know. Before speaking on such matters, one should understand the situation properly.
“Did Davido know the reason behind the abduction of those schoolchildren? Some terrorists were arrested. When efforts to secure their release failed, the kingpins kidnapped innocent people in an attempt to force the authorities to negotiate.
“The President and security agencies had vowed that the terrorists would not be released and that the children would be rescued. It was during this delicate period that Davido chose to embarrass us on a global stage.
“You cannot go to China and promote issues the authorities do not want promoted. The same applies in many other countries. There are limits. But some of our content creators continue to promote narratives that, in my opinion, end up helping terrorists.
“Some content creators do not understand the implications of what they are doing, while others do. Some are sponsored by politicians, while others are simply chasing engagement and followers.”
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Davido responded briefly on X by quoting Rarara’s comments and writing, “Debidooo,” appearing to mock the pronunciation of his name.
Rarara replied with the phrase, “Kashiga taitayinka,” a derogatory Hausa expression implying Davido should regain his senses.
Davido later escalated the exchange, writing in Hausa:
“Da ace kana da ilimi da na tsaya nayi magana dakai. Ama komai baka sani ba, sakarai kawai,”
which translates to: “If only you had knowledge, I would have stopped to speak with you. But you know nothing, just a fool.”
In a follow-up statement written in Hausa and later translated, Davido defended his decision to draw attention to insecurity and accused critics of putting politics above national interest.
“Damn it, every Nigerian should not stay silent about the insecurity plaguing the nation, nor should they prevent others from voicing their concerns openly.”
He added:
“Showing bias and prioritizing personal or political interests, and putting personal desires above the community’s goals, is nothing to be proud of. Be a patriot for your country, stop prioritizing politics over the truth, and fear God in everything you do.”