POLITICS
Ademola Adeleke: Between Dancing Steps and Political Cul-de-sac
By Wale Sadeeq
Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun is known for dancing hysterically at virtually every public occasion, to the admiration of his supporters, who saw his action as a move to downplay the rigours of governance and introduce some flair.
Nonetheless, from recent developments, it appears that the dancing step Adeleke is renowned for is losing its rhythm.
This is not because the ‘Dancing Governor’ wants that unique feature, long associated with him to come to diminish, but because of the apparent political survival for which he is seriously battling.
To his critics, however, governance is not a business for the comedians, nor something to be trivialised.
Sen. Iyiola Omisore, a former APC National Secretary, is one of the fierce critics of Adeleke’s dancing theatrics, insists that the state requires a more serious, experienced and visionary leader.
“The image of a ‘dancing governor’ does not reflect the gravity of the challenges facing Osun.
“Osun does not deserve a dancing governor.
“Public office requires depth, discipline and focus. No leader who truly appreciates the weight of governance trivialises it.
“Governance is not salesmanship or entertainment; it requires substance, not choreography,” Omisore, a former deputy governor of the state, said.
According to him, tolerance, competence and leadership capacity, not entertainment, define good governance.
He added that the constant display of dancing within the corridors of power signaled a lack of seriousness toward statecraft.
Indeed, the critics saw the governor as somebody who might eventually dance away the destiny of the people of Osun with his “Nollywood approach” to governance.
However, while explaining his passion for dancing, the governor said that it brings him ‘immense joy’, even though delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Osun gives him even greater satisfaction.
“Dancing gives me joy, but delivering on my electoral promises and providing the dividends of democracy to the good people of Osun gives me even greater joy,” he said.
Observers, however, note that Adeleke has recently lost the dancing steps and he is no longer in his element.
They argue that the governor might have reached a cul-de-sac in his political journey, with his second term bid now being seriously threatened.
Only recently, he announced his defection from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on whose platform he won the governorship election in 2022, citing persistent leadership turmoil at the party’s national level.
The governor was said to have made an attempt to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) sometime in May, even though he denied ever making such a move.
Adeleke, at a stakeholders’ meeting, was quoted to have said that the rumour about his imminent defection into the APC was fake news emanating from those intimidated by his extra-ordinary performance in state leadership.
However, the Director of Media and Information of APC in Osun, Kola Olabisi, in a statement, insisted that Adeleke was indeed planning to leave PDP for APC.
Indeed, the visit by the governor, his elder brother, Deji Adeleke and renowned Afrobeat artiste, Davido to President Bola Tinubu in his Lagos residence in June was said to have been part of the arrangements to seal the defection.
His subsequent visit to a prominent APC national leader and former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande, in his Ibadan residence, was also widely believed to be another major move in the defection plan.
Stakeholders also pointed to what they called the ‘desolate state’ of PDP as the reason for the governor’s plan to dump his party for APC.
Meanwhile, reports have it that the attempt hit the rock because of the conditions given to him by the APC leadership at the national level.
Part of the conditions, according to the reports, was that he would have to queue up and that he would not be given an automatic ticket for the governorship election under APC.
With the failed attempt to join APC, Adeleke now faces an uphill task in his second term bid in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Accord, a much-stable but relatively less-popular political party, has offered its platform for the governor following his resignation from his former party, PDP.
The party’s Chairman in Lagos, Dele Oladeji, was quoted as saying that the party would be happy to receive should he formally decide to declare for the platform to pursue his second term ambition in 2026.
“We are waiting for his declaration; that is what we can say for now; we are waiting for when he will declare for Accord.
“In Accord, we are ready for him; whenever he decides to step in, we are set to receive him; accord is a haven devoid of political turbulence.
“It is a very stable and sanitised political platform; we have no factions and no godfathers; any candidate who joins us between now and 2027 is sure of a peaceful and dependable structure.
“If he decides to step in, we will be ready to work with him and ensure his success,” Oladeji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos shortly after Adeleke announced his exit from PDP.
But Adeleke, on Tuesday, officially joined Accord Party, a development largely seen as a bold move in the pursuit of his political destiny.
The governor, while announcing his membership of Accord at the Banquet Hall of the Government House and in the presence of national and state leaders of the party, also revealed his intention to seek re-election on the platform of the “Thumb-Up” party.
Surprisingly, Adeleke disclosed that he had joined the party more than a month ago, even though he was silent on why he did not make the move public.
“I joined the Accord Party more than a month ago, precisely on Nov. 6, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026.
“This was after weeks of consultation and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders.
“Stakeholders and residents of Osun State are aware of why we are taking this important decision.
“We intend to pursue a second term in office on the platform of the Accord Party to complete the ongoing delivery of good governance and democratic dividends, which have been applauded at home and abroad,” he said.
Adeleke said that he opted for the party because its mission of welfarism aligned with his administration’s focus on citizens’ and workers’ welfare.
Good as the move may appear to be, watchers of political events in Osun are wondering how strong, popular and widely acceptable is Accord in Osun.
They also expressed concern about how effective the platform can be for the actualisation of the governor’s second term ambition, basing their worries on the party’s antecedents.
For instance, since the establishment of the party by former Gov. Rashidi Ladoja who is now the Olubadan of Ibadanland, it is not on record that it has won governorship election in any state in the country, though this does not mean that Adeleke may not spring a surprise.
Notwithstanding the confidence exuded by the governor during his formal defection to Accord, analysts are of the opinion that winning the governorship election in 2026 by Adeleke may not be a tea party, given the presence of bigger political parties like APC and ADC.
To them, the governor may need to hang his dancing shoes for now, halt his theatrics and hit the ground running if he must ride on the back of Accord to the Government House for a second term.(NAN)
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Former Senate Leader and Oyo State Ambassador for Renewed Hope, Sen. Teslim Folarin, said President Bola Tinubu’s bold reforms will lay a strong foundation for long-term national growth.
He stated this on Monday during the ongoing 14-Federal Constituency Tour jointly organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with Oyo All Progressives Congress(APC), at Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East and Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituencies.
Folarin noted that the ongoing reform agenda is necessary to stabilise the economy, stressing that effective communication of these reforms at the grassroots level would be critical to winning public understanding and sustained support.
He stated that the federal constituency tour was designed to strengthen internal cohesion, rebuild confidence within party structures, and lay a solid foundation for early and disciplined mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Ibadan is the political nerve centre of the South-West. Oyo state proved its strength in 2023 by giving the president the highest differential votes nationwide.
“In 2027, we are ready to raise the bar and deliver record votes for Mr. President.
“Leaders of the APC in Oyo state have resolved to mobilise a record number of votes for the president in the 2027 general elections, signalling an early and coordinated consolidation of party structures across the state,” Folarin said.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, emphasised the importance of unity, early reconciliation, and disciplined mobilisation.
He noted that electoral success depends on consistent engagement at ward and polling unit levels, rather than last minute campaigns.
The Oyo State Chairman of the APC, Olayide Abas, called for intensified voter education, continuous voter registration, and coordinated mobilisation ahead of the next general elections.
Former First Lady of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi, urged party leaders and supporters to remain united, stressing that cohesion and discipline were vital to sustaining the APC’s strength in the state.
She said the engagements provided an opportunity to reconnect with the grassroots and consolidate support for the president ahead of 2027.
A gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Adewale Kareem, described the federal constituency tour as timely, noting that it had helped to rebuild confidence within party structures.
He called for sustained mobilisation and voter education, adding that the unity of stakeholders and early preparation would be key to securing victory for the president in the 2027 general elections.
APC chieftains at the event included Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, Sen. Yunus Akintunde, Sen. Femi Lanlehin, Sen. Ayo Adeseun, Sen. Hosea Agboola, Sen. Kola Balogun, and other key party stakeholders.
Others were Hon. Remi Oseni, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Barrister Akeem Agbaje among others.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Ehizojie Abumere II, by protesters in Ekpoma.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Patrick Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Monday in Benin.
The governor’s condemnation came after he visited the palace to personally assess the damage allegedly caused by the protesters.
The protesters had allegedly invaded the palace under the guise of expressing grievances over insecurity.
Okpebholo was accompanied by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), state chairman and other party stakeholders.
According to the statement, vehicles within the palace compound were vandalised, while canopies and chairs were broken. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed.
Doors and windows of the palace were also damaged.
Okpebholo described the invasion of the palace and the looting of property as criminal and unacceptable, stressing that protests must never be used as an excuse for lawlessness.
He disclosed that a security meeting was held earlier in the week with a strong focus on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis.
Okpebholo added that the government had rolled out strategic, technology-driven security operations.
The Governor warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would be brought to justice.
“I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have shown to me and our people over the years.
“They came under the guise of protest and sentiments, then resorted to looting and violence. This is unacceptable.
“We will go after them the same way we are going after kidnappers. Nobody should test our patience.
“I am an Esan man and I got my highest votes here in Ekpoma. I will not allow bad things to happen in this land. In the coming days, our actions will speak for themselves. Nobody involved in this criminality will be spared,” he said.
He assured the traditional ruler and the people of Ekpoma that decisive security operations were imminent.
He noted that peace, law, and order would be fully restored in the community and across Edo Central.
The Onojie Abumere II, described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of the protesters were under the influence of illicit drugs.
“What transpired was very sad. Many of them were under the influence of drugs. If not for God’s intervention, something worse would have happened,” he said.
He explained that he attempted to address the protesters when they first arrived but was prevented from doing so.
According to him, the protesters later returned while he was away attending a security meeting with other traditional rulers, forced their way into the palace, and unleashed violence.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has been registered as the first member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, receiving registration number 001 in the ongoing APC membership registration across the country.
This comes as the Governor conducts the exercise during the official flag-off of the APC electronic membership registration exercise, held today at his hometown, RCM Primary School, Ihugh, in Vandeikya Local Government Area.
Fr Alia speaking after the exercise, Gov Alia remarked that the State wide registration will commence on Tuesday (tomorrow) and urged party chairmen and ward leaders to mobilise members for individual registration, noting that registration agents have been deployed to all council wards across the state.
He cautioned members against agitations capable of distorting the exercise and advises everyone to ensure peaceful coordination at their wards.
He further commended members of his community for their large turnout, describing his registration as a demonstration of acceptance ahead of his re-election bid.
Governor Alia also commends the APC National Chairman for introducing the e-registration initiative, saying it will help determine the party’s strength at both state and local government levels. He further appreciates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the party and for his interventions which, according to him, have turned Benue State into a major construction hub for development.
The Benue State APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale, in his remarks said all 872 wards in the state will conduct registrations, with three agents assigned to each ward to ensure a seamless and credible process. He described the e-registration as a step towards strengthening democratic institutions through technology and urged party members to participate peacefully and in unity.
The State APC Registration Coordinator, James Ornguga, in his remark explained that the exercise requires the National Identification Number and Voter’s identity Card.
He added that in areas with poor network coverage, agents will record details manually for later upload.
Member representing Kastina, Ukum and logo federal constituency at the national assembly and chieftain of the party, Prince Solomon Wombo, said the governor’s developmental efforts would earn him his re-election.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the APC membership card to Governor Alia by the state party chairman.
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