OSOGBO/LAGOS — Hours after securing a second term as governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke lived up to his popular moniker as the “Dancing Governor” by performing energetic dance moves during a live interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Fresh from his electoral victory, Adeleke appeared on the programme to discuss his re-election and plans for a second term. When the anchor asked whether he could express his feelings to Nigerians and the world through music, the governor replied, “You got it.”
The studio then played his nephew, Grammy-nominated singer Davido’s hit song “Feel.” Adeleke began dancing while still seated, then rose to his feet to deliver more of his well-known steps, drawing smiles and applause in the studio.
Clips of the moment quickly spread across social media, with many viewers describing it as a characteristic and joyful celebration of his win.
Adeleke has long described dancing as a personal hobby, a form of praising God, and a way to relieve stress. He has repeatedly insisted that the activity does not interfere with his official duties, a defence he has offered amid occasional criticism from political opponents.
During the same interview, the governor reflected on his re-election, saying he had sometimes wondered whether the people of Osun truly appreciated his achievements in office.
He noted that many had underestimated him. Adeleke described the result as a triumph for democracy and pledged to use his second term to transform Osun from a largely civil-service-dependent state into an industrial hub. He also called for unity, declaring “no victor, no vanquished.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier on Sunday formally declared Adeleke the winner of the August 15 governorship election.
Contesting on the platform of the Accord Party, he polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam placed a distant third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji took 11. The margin of victory stood at 66,252 votes.
Adeleke first won the governorship in 2022 on the Peoples Democratic Party ticket before later defecting to the Accord Party. His lively public persona, including frequent singing and dancing at events, has become a defining feature of his political brand and has helped him connect with many voters, even as critics have questioned its place in serious governance.
Celebrations erupted across Osun, particularly in the state capital Osogbo and Adeleke’s hometown of Ede, following the declaration. Davido, who had been following the results closely, also publicly celebrated his uncle’s success.
The spontaneous dance on national television captured the mood of the moment: a re-elected governor expressing joy in the style that has made him a distinctive figure in Nigerian politics.
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