Adeleke Defends Dancing, Says It Doesn't Stop Work

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, widely known as "the dancing governor," is standing firm against criticism of his public dancing, insisting the Adeleke dancing governor persona has nothing to do with how well he runs the state.

The latest wave of mockery came from Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who took aim at Adeleke's dancing while campaigning for the APC candidate ahead of Osun's August 15 governorship election, questioning whether the governor takes his job seriously enough.

Adeleke fired back directly in a post on his official social media page, and later doubled down during a town hall event organized by Arise TV for candidates in the race.

For Adeleke, dancing is simply part of who he is, not a distraction from the job.

"I dance because in my family, we are jolly good fellows," he said.

He pushed back on the idea that dancing and governing are mutually exclusive.

"As I am dancing, I am working. There is time for everything, there is time to dance and there is time to work," he said.

He was equally direct about the results he says speak for themselves.

"Dancing does not stop me from working. I have delivered across all sectors," Adeleke said.

At the town hall, Adeleke pointed to concrete achievements to support his case, including newly constructed and rehabilitated roads fitted with solar-powered streetlights, and more than 200 primary healthcare facilities upgraded with electricity and clean water access.

He also took a light jab at his critics, suggesting some of the backlash stems from jealousy rather than genuine concern.

"We are jolly good fellows, and I will tell you, nobody can stop me from dancing," he said, adding that people should judge him on his performance in office rather than his hobbies.

Adeleke's nephew, Afrobeats star Davido, has publicly stood by him throughout the criticism, describing his uncle as one of the most effective governors Osun has had and dismissing the idea that enjoying a dance means neglecting the job.

Adeleke's love for dancing has followed him since he first took office, earning him a nickname that has become part of his political identity, for better or worse depending on who you ask. With the Osun election just days away, expect this debate over image versus performance to keep playing out, on the campaign trail and well beyond it.