OSOGBO: Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has defended his well-known passion for dancing, insisting that his public displays have never affected his performance or responsibilities as governor.
Adeleke made the clarification on Tuesday during a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates participating in the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The governor, who described himself as a “prudent worker,” said dancing was simply part of his personality and a hobby he had enjoyed for years.
According to him, his love for dancing does not prevent him from carrying out his official duties or delivering projects across the state.
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,” Adeleke said.
His comments came amid renewed criticism of his dancing from his political opponents.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had recently mocked Adeleke during an All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Osun State, referring to him as the “dancing governor” and urging voters to reject his administration.
Adeleke, however, dismissed the criticism, suggesting that those who were uncomfortable with his dancing should learn how to dance.
If they can’t dance, I can teach them how to dance,” he said.
The governor maintained that dancing was merely a hobby and had no bearing on his responsibilities as the state’s chief executive.
Dancing is a hobby. That does not affect my work. My people love me,” he added.
Beyond defending his personality, Adeleke used the town hall meeting to highlight what he described as the achievements of his administration.
He said his government had constructed and rehabilitated roads across Osun State, with some of the projects complemented by solar-powered streetlights.
As I’m speaking to you, I did not only build roads across Osun, I installed them with solar lights. This we did to provide security and enhance economic development,” the governor said.
Adeleke also claimed that his administration had upgraded and rehabilitated more than 200 primary healthcare facilities across the state.
According to him, the facilities were equipped with electricity and clean water as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
As of today, we have upgraded and rehabilitated over 200 primary healthcare facilities to global standards, equipped with electricity and clean water, he said.
The governor further stated that qualified engineers had certified the projects undertaken by his administration as meeting international standards.
Adeleke is seeking re-election in the August 15 governorship election after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, under which he won the 2022 election, to contest on the platform of the Accord Party.
He is facing several challengers, including the All-Progressives Congress candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam.
With the election approaching, Adeleke’s record in office, personality and campaign message have become central issues in the contest.
While his opponents have repeatedly used his dancing as a political talking point, the governor insists that his performances on the dance floor should not be confused with his performance in office.
For Adeleke, the message is simple: he can dance, govern and deliver at the same time.
