International reggae superstar Buju Banton sparked a social media frenzy on Sunday after seemingly endorsing the People’s National Party (PNP) ahead of Wednesday’s General Election.

The purported endorsement drew swift backlash from some social media users, prompting a heated exchange with the artiste.

In an Instagram video, Banton broke into an impromptu song, criticising the current state of wages, before seemingly declaring his support for the PNP.

The video, captioned “A dat mi say… no, no, no, no, Time Reach,” featured Banton singing, “People are you happy with the wages dem giving? No, no, no, no.” He ended the tune with, “Be brave enough to tell dem time come.”

Speaking to his “beloved Jamaican people”, the entertainer said the moment of decision to choose the next government was drawing near.

“I want everyone to know that the decisions we make will only affect our children and the future of Jamaica. Make the right decision, make the right choice; don’t be intimidated. I love you all… Mi a post it,” Banton said.

PNP President Mark Golding found favour with the video, writing “#TimeCome” and using a fist emoji – the symbol of the party that has been in the political wilderness for the past nine years.

But not all of his followers were amused by the entertainer’s purported support for the Opposition party.

“Went to prison under the PNP, went to farin (foreign) under JLP!!! Time come TO CHOOSE JAMAICA,” a woman commented on Banton’s video.

The entertainer sharply replied: “No went to USA by other means. Not politics so sad.”

Another Instagram user wrote: “I have never been impressed by anything you (Banton) say. No logical argument, no depth. Just pure emotions. Has [Mark] Golding promised to repeal the colonial era Beach Confril Act? No. Has he promised to cut off ties to Israel? No… So what is transformative about Golding? Nothing.”

Banton later quipped: “Idiot I do not impress. I keep it real guess u (you) add feeding from the trough.”

The entertainer then posted a message in the comments, warning those who were in disagreement about his endorsement of the PNP.

“Do not come on my page. Remember. Unu fully dunse (dunce),” Banton wrote.

In response, a female Instagram user said she would be unfollowing the singer and not venture on his page anymore.

“@bujubanton Come on Buju. Mark Golding have no plans for the youth of Jamaica or the economy. So why support a man that have no plans and rasta should not affiliate themselves with politics,” a man argued.

Still, several users defended the entertainer’s freedom of expression.

“Why are you guys upset about his own option! He didnt mention any party whatsoever but it seems to ruffle a lot of feathers. It’s his OWN opinion! Do what you think is best for you!!! Simple as that!” one person wrote.

Another added: “What a way it hurt oonu, if you don’t agree with the man scroll past and vote as you like. Why the insults, get from beneath the comments, ser of vagabonds!!!”