Osun State Governor and Accord Party candidate in Saturday’s governorship election, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed confidence that his record in office will secure his re-election.
Adeleke spoke during the Arise Townhall Meeting and in a series of posts shared on his verified X handle on Tuesday, where he addressed issues including the state’s finances, his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his widely recognised dancing persona.
On allegations of election inducements, Adeleke said his administration lacked the financial capacity to engage in vote buying, citing financial pressures arising from the withholding of local government allocations.
“As an administration, we do not have the resources to engage in vote buying. We have been using state resources to pay local government workers since our local government allocation was withheld almost two years ago,” he said.
The governor said he was relying on his performance in office to win the election, pointing to welfare support provided to workers since 2023.
“I do not need to buy votes to win election. I have been giving workers palliative since 2023. I believe in my work to speak for me,” Adeleke said.
Adeleke also explained his decision to leave the PDP and contest the election on the platform of the Accord Party.
He said the move followed internal disagreements within the PDP, describing his departure from the party as a difficult decision.
“I left the PDP to join Accord because of the crisis in the PDP then. I love PDP so much, and it was difficult to leave. I would have run as an independent candidate in this election if it were allowed in Nigeria,” he said.
The governor also defended his public dancing, which has become a prominent feature of his political image and public appearances.
Responding to suggestions that his celebratory demeanour could distract from his responsibilities as governor, Adeleke said dancing was part of his family culture and had not affected his ability to govern.
“I dance because in my family, we are jolly good fellows. As I am dancing, I am working. There is time for everything; there is time to dance, and there is time to work. Dancing does not stop me from working. I have delivered across all sectors,” he said.
Adeleke’s comments come as the governorship election draws closer, with the governor seeking another term amid a competitive political contest in the state.
At the town hall meeting, he also dismissed concerns about the potential influence of the opposition All Progressives Congress and the involvement of federal officials or governors in the election.
With voters set to decide the next governor of Osun State on Saturday, Adeleke is presenting his administration’s performance as the central argument for his re-election bid while defending his decision to contest under a different political platform.
