Gov. Adeleke’s Dancing Helped Him Win Voters’ Support, Says APC National Youth Leader

The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, has said Governor Ademola Adeleke’s dancing and close conne...

The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, has said Governor Ademola Adeleke’s dancing and close connection with the people played an important role in his victory in the Osun State governorship election. Israel, in an article shared on Facebook on Sunday, said Adeleke’s ability to sing, dance and interact freely with people should not have been seen as a weakness by his political opponents. Adeleke of the Accord Party was declared the winner of Saturday’s election after scoring 511,067 votes, defeating the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. Reacting to the result, Israel said the APC must learn from the election and improve the way it connects with voters ahead of the 2027 general election. He described Adeleke’s strong grassroots connection as one of the major factors that helped him during the election. “Governor Adeleke’s dancing was never a weakness. It was a political language,” Israel said, adding that the governor’s dancing and accessibility made him appear closer to ordinary people. According to him, politics is not only about policies and intellectual arguments but also about emotions, identity, presence and a sense of belonging. Israel warned the APC against believing that popularity among political elites automatically translates into electoral success. He said a candidate could be respected by elites but still struggle to win support at the grassroots, while another candidate could be mocked by some elites and still enjoy strong support from ordinary voters. The APC youth leader also praised Davido, Adeleke’s nephew and popular singer, for his role in mobilising young people during the campaign. He said Davido used his music, influence, digital platforms and personal network to connect Adeleke’s campaign with young voters. “Who are the Davidos in the APC?” Israel asked, questioning whether the party has enough young personalities who can mobilise the youth effectively. Israel also said the APC needs to address internal divisions and strengthen its youth and women structures ahead of 2027. He urged the party to establish campaign structures early, provide them with adequate funding and give members clear responsibilities instead of waiting until shortly before an election. He also called for greater unity within the APC, saying that broad inclusion and strong grassroots engagement are necessary for electoral success. Concluding his assessment, Israel said President Bola Tinubu provided the democratic platform for the election, Adeleke understood his people, while Davido understood the younger generation. He said the major question for the APC now is whether the party will learn the right lessons from its defeat in Osun State.