Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has come under criticism on social media after using South African singer Tyla’s Grammy win to mock Afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, during an online exchange over the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The clash began after presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu had directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to lift the court order restricting Osun State Government accounts following a phone conversation with Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Reacting to the post on X, Davido, whose uncle, Ademola Adeleke, is seeking re-election as Osun governor on Accord Party platform, wrote, “I was there live! I witnessed history!!!”

Ahmad, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, responded by saying he had bookmarked Davido’s post, writing, “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.”

Davido fired back, 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.

In another post, the singer mocked Ahmad’s performance in a previous primary election, saying, “U got 16 votes bro in primaries!!”

Ahmad then shifted the argument from politics to music, 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 also accused Davido of predicting electoral malpractice because 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 replied that success should not be measured 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’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 drew widespread criticism from X users, with many users accusing Ahmad of poor judgment for comparing a South African artiste with a Nigerian musician at a time of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Several users argued that if Ahmad wanted to troll Davido over the Grammy issue, he should have referenced Nigerian Grammy winners such as Burna Boy, Wizkid or Tems instead of a South African artiste.

Bashir Ahmad was a special assistant on digital communications to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari

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 specifically questioned Ahmad’s choice of Tyla.

One commenter wrote, “If you wanted to compare Grammys, why not use Burna Boy, Wizkid or Tems instead of a South African?” Another said, “Using Tyla against a fellow Nigerian at this time is unnecessary.”

Some commenters also revisited Davido’s earlier criticism of Ahmad’s political career. @marcus_marcel_ wrote, “‘You spent 8yrs with the ex president and couldn’t make a change in your poverty stricken community..’ End of Discussion.”

Others, however, defended Ahmad’s jab or shifted attention back to Davido’s Grammy record.

Another user, @OlasunkanmiYaki, wrote, “You’re trolling the wrong guy @BashirAhmaad,” suggesting the former presidential aide had picked an unwinnable argument. (The Nation)

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