ADELEKE’S DANCING WAS POLITICAL LANGUAGE, NOT WEAKNESS — APC YOUTH LEADER

The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Dayo Israel, has described Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s dancing as a political strength that helped him connect with voters.

In an article shared on Facebook on Sunday, Israel said Adeleke’s ability to sing, dance and interact directly with people at the grassroots should not have been dismissed by political opponents who focused mainly on his public performances.

Adeleke was declared winner of the Osun governorship election with 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.

Reflecting on the election, Israel said Adeleke’s grassroots appeal was strengthened by his willingness to embrace the culture and emotions of the people.

He said, “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.”

According to Israel, Adeleke’s singing, dancing, accessibility and public worship created an emotional connection that some political analysts failed to recognise.

He argued that politics was not only about policies but also involved emotion, identity, presence and belonging.

The APC youth leader urged his party to stop confusing sophistication and elite approval with electoral strength, noting that a candidate could dominate elite discussions while failing to connect with voters at the grassroots.

Israel also credited singer Davido, Adeleke’s nephew, with playing a significant role in mobilising young people during the campaign through his influence, networks, music and digital reach.

He questioned whether the APC had young personalities capable of generating similar influence among young voters, asking, “Who are the Davidos in the APC?”

Israel said the APC’s loss in Osun should also prompt the party to address internal divisions, weak grassroots structures and inadequate engagement with its youth and women wings.

He called for campaign structures to be established well before elections, properly funded and given clear responsibilities rather than being assembled shortly before polling.

Concluding his assessment, Israel said President Bola Tinubu provided the democratic contest, Adeleke understood his people, while Davido understood his generation, challenging the APC to learn from the outcome ahead of the 2027 general election.