By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Re-elected Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has defended his love for dancing as a harmless personal hobby that does not interfere with governance, while extending a hand of fellowship to his political rivals following the recent election.
“My hobby is dancing. I love dancing right away from when I was little. So that doesn’t disturb me from doing my job. And my job, you know, speaks for itself,” Adeleke said in an interview on Channels TV, monitored by Persecondnews on Sunday.
Adeleke brushed off his first-term “dancing governor” moniker, insisting his hobby never stopped him from delivering on campaign pledges.
With the election decided, the governor announced a new reconciliation committee and signaled his willingness to collaborate with former rivals, including APC’s Bola Oyebamiji.
“Since election is over, I emerge and I was re-elected for my second term. So I preach peace. Let us forget what has happened. I mean, democracy is all about that.”
He said his reconciliation plan would involve bringing political opponents to the table, allowing them to contribute ideas towards the development of the state irrespective of their political affiliations.
“I’m going to look for a reconciliation committee to unite Osun people, so that we can now invite our opponents. If you have any idea, bring it on the table,” Persecondnews quotes the governor as saying.
Adeleke also opened the door to working with former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, currently the Minister of Maritime and Blue Economy and other opposition figures, saying the interest of Osun should take precedence over political differences.
“I’m seizing this opportunity on international TV. I’m extending my hands of fellowship to come, talk to me. If you have any ideas, talk to me.”
Adeleke emphasized his willingness to work with former political opponents was based on his belief that good ideas should not be rejected because of their source or political affiliation.
“If the idea is good, hey, I’m going to utilise it. I mean, one thing is that we have to put everything behind us. The election is over.”
He also attributed his victory to a combination of his personality, accessibility and performance, rejecting the suggestion that political divisions or opposition weaknesses were primarily responsible for his re-election.
“I think it’s my person. They love the personality. I give them joy. I’m so accessible. I’m grassroots, so I’m free with everybody in the office, and I love the people.”
Adeleke stressed that his administration’s second-term priority would be to transform Osun from a predominantly civil-service state into an industrial destination capable of attracting investors and creating opportunities.
“I want to make sure I move it to industry, where investors will come in. Industrialization, yes. So I want things to happen as fast as possible.”
On the political violence witnessed before the election, Adeleke said he would continue to preach peace and urged his supporters not to retaliate against attacks, stressing that violence should not determine political outcomes.
“I told my people not to retaliate. I told my people not to touch their people. Just leave them alone. It is not people that will bring the vote; it is the people.”
The governor also disclosed that he would support President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, saying his decision was based on his assessment of the President’s development agenda in the Southwest.
“I will go all out for President Tinubu in 2027, big time. I believe that all the federal roads that he has started, I want to encourage him not to forget Southwest too.”
He lauded President Tinubu for allowing the Osun governorship election to take place in what he described as a free and fair atmosphere, saying the process reflected the democratic values he had been advocating.
Adeleke reiterated that his ultimate ambition was to leave behind an Osun State that would become a reference point for other states, particularly through infrastructure, industrialization and investment.
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