Israel DMW Hails Buhari Over Edo Election, Blasts ‘Impunity’ After His Exit

Israel DMW, the logistics manager of Nigerian music star Davido, has paid tribute to late former President Muhammadu Buhari, praising him for what he described as a free and credible governorship election in Edo State.

In a post shared on Instagram, Israel commended Buhari for allowing the people of Edo State to choose their preferred governor during the 2024 governorship election, despite it being an off-cycle poll.

He argued that voters were given the opportunity to determine the state’s political future under Buhari’s administration, while criticising what he described as a decline in electoral conduct following the former president’s departure from office.

Israel expressed disappointment over subsequent political developments, alleging that impunity had become a concern and had brought embarrassment to the state.

His comments followed recent remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who disclosed that he deliberately withheld his support from Asue Ighodalo during the 2024 Edo governorship election.

Wike explained that his decision was influenced by his opposition to former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki’s attempt to determine his successor. According to him, Ighodalo had visited him several times to seek his backing, but he declined to support the ambition.

The FCT minister also maintained that political alliances involving members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) influenced the political contest.

The 2024 Edo governorship election was won by APC candidate Monday Okpebholo, who defeated Ighodalo of the PDP.

Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023, died in July 2025.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Israel DMW’s remarks have added another dimension to the debate surrounding the 2024 Edo governorship election, particularly following Wike’s account of the political calculations and alliances that shaped the contest.