Celebrity Advocacy and the Politics of Insecurity in Nigeria: A Discourse Analysis of the Davido-Rarara Controversy

Abstract

In June 2026, Nigerian Afrobeats singer Davido (David Adeleke) created a controversy when he appeared at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles wearing a jacket with the slogan "Bring Them Home" and the names of thirty-nine (39) schoolchildren and seven (7) teachers abducted by shooters from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026. Hausa Praise singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara accused Davido of politicising insecurity and disreputing Nigeria's image in the international arena. Hausa Praise singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara accused Davido of politicising insecurity and bringing disrepute to Nigeria's image in the international arena. This paper provides a qualitative discourse analysis of the controversy surrounding Davido and Rarara with the conceptual framework of the agenda-setting theory of media studies and celebrity politics. Using the agenda-setting and framing theories, the paper discusses the controversy in the context of Nigerian print and online media. Findings reveal that although the issue of abducted children is a matter of great concern in Nigeria, the controversy in the public space was about different perceptions of patriotism and partisanship. Rarara seems to have lost the support of the APC backbenchers , as Davido has benefited considerably in terms of public relations. In effect, the paper reveals that both artists have presented their stance on regional and national security with a view to influencing public opinion in favour of their stand.