Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has defended his well-known dancing hobby, insisting that his public displays of dance have not affected his responsibilities as governor. Adeleke spoke during the Arise Town Hall for Osun governorship candidates ahead of Saturday’s governorship election. The governor was responding to a question on whether his dancing had affected the administration of the state.
Adeleke said he remained committed to his duties despite his frequent appearances dancing at public events. According to him, recreation and official responsibilities are separate aspects of his life, arguing that his ability to enjoy dancing does not prevent him from governing effectively.
“We are jolly good fellows and I will tell you, nobody can stop me from dancing. As I’m dancing, I’m working,” Adeleke said. He added that his conduct changes when he is performing his official duties.
“You need to see me when I am working. I can dance with you now, when you come to my office, I’m a very serious and prudent person,” he said.
“There’s time for everything, there’s time to dance, there’s time to work.”
The governor also attributed some of the criticism directed at his dancing to jealousy among members of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Adeleke joked that his critics were unhappy because they could not dance like him.
“So, they are jealous because they don’t know how to dance. If they want, I will teach them how to dance, but that does not stop me from my work,” he said.
His comments came as the governor seeks another term in office amid a closely watched governorship contest in the state.
The governor also criticised his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, during the town hall. Adeleke claimed that Oyetola had not moved past his defeat in the previous governorship election.
“Gboyega Oyetola is still suffering from the pain of defeat because he is a cousin to Mr President,” Adeleke said.
He further accused the former governor of contributing to problems in Osun State, although he did not provide further details during the remarks. Oyetola’s political camp has not been quoted responding to the allegation in the statement on which this report is based.
Adeleke maintained that dancing should be viewed as a personal hobby rather than a measure of his performance in government. “Dancing is a hobby; it does not disturb or affect my work,” he said.
The controversy surrounding the governor’s dancing has featured prominently in public discussions about his personality and political image. Adeleke, however, argues that his public personality and recreational interests should be separated from assessments of his performance in office. With the governorship election approaching, the comments add another dimension to the political contest in Osun State, where candidates are seeking to convince voters on their records, policies and suitability for office.
