By Ayodele Oni

Re-elected Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has revealed how his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, facilitated his victory at Saturday’s election. The late Senator Adeleke was, also, a former Governor of Osun State.

He disclosed that he visited the grave of his late brother, Senator Adeleke, popularly known as Serubawon, on the eve of governorship election to seek his prayers and draw psychological strength from him.

Adeleke disclosed this in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics following his victory in the Osun governorship election.

Speaking about his late brother, the governor said they shared similar personalities and a love for life, adding that he misses him deeply.

“My late brother Serubawon and I, we are alike. We behave the same way. He loved life, too. I miss him a lot.”

The governor said he sometimes visits his brother’s grave and tears up, adding that he went there again on the eve of the election to seek his  prayers.

“Sometimes I cry. I go to his grave and say, ‘Brother, I miss you,’ and I cry. Even yesterday, before the election. I always go there and say, ‘Brother, here I am again on the march. I am going for an election. I want you to pray for me.’ You know, just a psychological boost for me,” he revealed.

Isiaka Adeleke, who died on April 23, 2017, was the first civilian Governor of Osun State and later represented Osun West Senatorial District in the Senate.

His death marked a turning point in Ademola Adeleke’s political career. The younger Adeleke subsequently contested the Osun West senatorial seat and won, before later emerging as governor of the state.

Reflecting on his family’s role in his political journey, Governor Adeleke said his siblings had remained supportive throughout his career.

He also attributed his re-election to the continued support of the people of Osun State, saying the electorate had embraced the Adeleke family.

The governor defeated his closest challenger in the election to secure a second term as governor of Osun State.

Adeleke, the candidate of Accord Party, won the Osun governorship election with 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes.

The governor won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Zacchaeus Dare Michael, has appealed to the people of Okunland to learn from the electoral misfortune of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State.

He maintained that the APC could have secured a more decisive electoral outcome in Osun State had internal political interests not frustrated efforts at reconciliation and strategic realignment.

Reacting to the situation, Michael said popular Nigerian music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, should not be blamed for his recent outbursts, insisting that the artiste had played an active and leading role in efforts aimed at facilitating Governor Adeleke’s movement into the APC.

According to him, those efforts at reconciliation before the election were allegedly frustrated by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and his political allies, whom he described as “paperweights politically” and, ultimately, the biggest losers of the electoral outcome.

“Choosing a fight with a sitting Governor is a wrong thing, and this is the result today. It is truly heartbreaking because APC would have been the one celebrating an overwhelming and resounding victory today,” Michael stated.

The Kabba-Bunu council chairman further argued that electoral outcomes cannot simply be manufactured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging political actors and stakeholders to draw lessons from recent developments and adopt a more strategic approach to political engagement.

He particularly appealed to the people of Okunland to learn from the unfolding political dynamics and sustain strategic engagement and partnerships capable of advancing their collective political interests and securing a stronger future for Kogi State.

Michael’s intervention has added another dimension to the ongoing political conversation, particularly as political alignments, strategic partnerships and grassroots mobilisation continue to shape the emerging political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“INEC can’t write results, and I hope Okun people will learn from this and allow us to continue with our strategic engagement and partnership that will guarantee our political future in Kogi State,” he said.

His remarks underscore the growing emphasis on political cohesion, strategic alliances and grassroots consultation as stakeholders across Kogi continue to position themselves for the next electoral cycle.