Adeleke’s Dancing Was Political Strength, APC Youth Leader Says

The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Dayo Israel, has described Governor Ademola Adeleke’s dancing and close interaction with the people as a major political advantage that helped him secure re-election in Osun State.

Israel, in an article shared on Facebook on Sunday, said Adeleke’s ability to sing, dance and engage directly with ordinary voters should not have been dismissed by his political opponents, who often focused on his public performances.

Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared winner of Saturday’s governorship poll after securing 511,067 votes. His closest challenger, the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, polled 444,815 votes.

Reflecting on the result, Israel said the outcome should compel the APC to reassess its campaign strategy and how it connects with voters, particularly ahead of the 2027 general election.

He identified Adeleke as one of three personalities who, in his assessment, shaped the election, arguing that the governor’s grassroots appeal was strengthened by his willingness to embrace the culture, emotions and everyday experiences of the people.

“Governor Adeleke’s dancing was never a weakness. It was a political language. It humanised him, made him accessible, and created emotional proximity with ordinary voters,” Israel said.

According to him, Adeleke’s singing, dancing, accessibility and public worship helped create an emotional bond with voters that some political observers failed to appreciate.

“Politics is not only policy. It is emotion, identity, presence and belonging,” he added.

Israel said the APC should learn from the election that electoral success could not be measured solely by elite approval or the sophistication of a candidate.

“Our party must therefore stop confusing sophistication with electoral value. A candidate may dominate elite discourse and still fail to move a ward. Another may be mocked in elite spaces and still command overwhelming loyalty on the ground,” he said.

The APC youth leader also credited Nigerian singer Davido, Adeleke’s nephew, with playing a significant role in mobilising young voters during the campaign.

He said Davido deployed his influence, networks, music and digital reach to connect the campaign with a younger generation.

“Davido did not treat his role as symbolic. He was placed at the centre of youth mobilisation and used his influence, networks, music, digital reach and personal credibility to connect the campaign to a generation,” Israel said.

He subsequently challenged the APC to identify young personalities with similar influence and reach among Nigerian youths.

“Who are the Davidos in the APC?” he asked.

Beyond personalities, Israel said the Osun defeat should push the APC to confront its internal divisions, strengthen its grassroots structures and improve the involvement of its youth and women wings.

He argued that campaign structures should be established well ahead of elections, rather than being hurriedly assembled shortly before voting.

“A campaign council must be formed early, properly funded, given clear deliverables and held accountable. Anything less is theatre, not strategy,” he said.

Israel also called for reconciliation within the party ahead of 2027, stressing that broader inclusion would be critical to securing electoral victories.

Concluding his assessment, he said the APC had important lessons to learn from Adeleke’s connection with voters and Davido’s influence among young people.

“President Tinubu gave us a democratic contest. Governor Adeleke understood his people. Davido understood his generation.

“The question is whether the APC understands its own lesson,” he added.