Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has appealed to residents to support his bid for another term in office, saying his administration has delivered significant development across the state.

Adeleke made the appeal on Tuesday while speaking at the Arise Townhall, where he highlighted some of the achievements of his administration and expressed confidence in securing victory in the forthcoming governorship election.

The governor recalled his experience in the 2018 governorship election, which he said he lost after being cheated, adding that he subsequently returned to school before staging a comeback in 2022.

SEE MORE: ‘Dancing Doesn’t Stop Me From Working’ — Adeleke Hits Back at Critics

“I was cheated in 2018. I went back to school and returned in 2022,” Adeleke said.

He said his administration had prioritised the development of Osun State and promised that public funds would continue to be deployed for the benefit of the people.

“Osun State money will stay in Osun,” he said, assuring residents that “more goodies are on the way.”

Adeleke also pointed to several road projects executed by his administration, saying some of the roads had been abandoned for years before his government intervened.

He dismissed claims that roads constructed under his administration were substandard, insisting that qualified Nigerian engineers handled the projects.

“It is a sin to say that the roads I constructed are substandard. I used professional engineers. I used Nigerian engineers. I supervised their work,” he said.

The governor maintained that his administration had “done so much” for Osun residents and claimed that the people had recognised the impact of the projects across the state.

He also accused the All Progressives Congress of relying on propaganda to discredit his administration.

Adeleke further defended his public dancing, which has become a notable feature of his political appearances, insisting that the hobby had no effect on his ability to govern.

“Those that can’t dance are jealous of me. In my family, we have music in our blood. Nobody will stop me from dancing. I dance and work. There is time to dance and there is time to work,” he said.

He also alleged that federal might was being used to intimidate voters ahead of the election but expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious.

“Dancing is my hobby. In this election, I will be victorious,” Adeleke declared.

On security, the governor said his background in criminology had equipped him with the knowledge needed to tackle security challenges in the state.

“I am a security expert. I studied criminology. My aim is to protect my people, and I am doing that,” he said.

Adeleke disclosed that his administration had recruited about 1,500 Amotekun personnel, adding that the recruits received training from senior security officers.

He alleged that Osun had remained relatively peaceful until the approach of the election, when, according to him, intimidation and violence began to emerge.

“Osun has been peaceful until recent times, when the election approaches. They started intimidating and killing our people,” he alleged.

The governor said he had raised the security concerns with relevant authorities and held meetings with security experts on measures to protect residents before, during and after the election.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has hit back at critics of his penchant for dancing, insisting that his hobby has never affected his responsibilities or performance as governor.

Adeleke made the clarification on Tuesday during a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates contesting the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The governor described dancing as part of his personality and family culture, stressing that he combines it with his duties as the state’s chief executive.

SEE ALSO: Adeleke Declares Osun Guber Election Can’t be Rigged or Stolen

“I dance because in my family, we are jolly good fellows. As I am dancing, I am working. There is time for everything, there is time to dance, and there is time to work. Dancing does not stop me from working. I have delivered across all sectors,” Adeleke said.

His comments came after Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, recently mocked him during an APC campaign rally in Osun State and urged voters to reject what he described as the “dancing governor.”

Responding to the criticism, Adeleke said his dancing was simply a hobby and had no connection with his ability to govern.
“Dancing is a hobby. That does not affect my work. My people love me,” he said.

He also took a swipe at those criticising his dancing, saying, “If they can’t dance, I can teach them how to dance.”

Adeleke used the occasion to highlight projects he said his administration had executed across Osun State.

According to him, his government has constructed and rehabilitated roads across the state, with solar-powered streetlights installed along some of them to improve security and boost economic activities.

“As I’m speaking to you, I did not only build roads across Osun, I installed them with solar lights. This we did to provide security and enhance economic development,” he said.

The governor also said his administration had upgraded and rehabilitated more than 200 primary healthcare facilities, equipping them with electricity and clean water.

He added that qualified engineers had certified the projects undertaken by his administration as meeting international standards.

Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party, under which he won the 2022 governorship election.

He is contesting against the All Progressives Congress candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, and other candidates in the August 15 election.

The Obi–Kwankwaso (OK) Movement in Enugu State has raised concerns over an alleged attempt to create division and destabilise the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The movement urged party members and supporters to remain united and disregard directives or announcements that do not come from recognised party leadership.

In a statement issued by its Chief Press Secretary, Ani Ifeanyi Moses, the group alleged that some individuals were working to create what it described as a “non-existent faction” within the NDC.

SEE MORE: “Nobody Forced Obi to Leave Any Party” — APC Chair Fires Back at Critics

It said the alleged plot involved impersonation, unauthorised claims of leadership and the circulation of misinformation intended to cause confusion among party members.

According to the movement, the alleged activities were coming at a critical period when members should be concentrating on preparations for the 2027 elections rather than internal disputes.

The group specifically accused some individuals of impersonating party officials and attempting to undermine the NDC’s structure in Enugu State.

“It is intentional to create division and confusion, knowing that Enugu is the support base of Mr. Peter Obi, and we must resist it,” the statement said.

The movement described the alleged actions as a threat to democratic principles and called on those behind them to immediately stop.

It urged all parties involved in any disagreement within the NDC to rely on the party’s internal mechanisms and legal processes for resolution.

The group also appealed to political actors to respect constitutional democracy and the rule of law, warning against actions that could further deepen divisions within the political movement.

The OK Movement equally cautioned against involving young Nigerians in political conflicts, stressing that individual political ambitions should not be allowed to overshadow the broader objective of building what it described as a credible political alternative ahead of 2027.

It called on NDC members and supporters of the Obi–Kwankwaso movement in Enugu to remain calm, united, vigilant and resolute.

The movement further advised members to disregard any directives that were not issued through recognised party leadership or official communication channels.

It also urged supporters to verify political information before acting on it, particularly information contained in unauthorised announcements or messages circulated through unofficial channels.

Describing the political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections as a “New Nigeria project,” the movement maintained that the initiative was greater than individual political ambitions or the pursuit of public offices.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to democratic values, accountability and good governance, while pledging to continue mobilising support for what it described as a competent and people-centred government in 2027.

The movement concluded by appealing to its members to remain focused and united, warning that internal divisions could weaken their collective political aspirations as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.