Meet Ademola Adeleke: The ‘Dancing Senator’ Fighting To Retain Osun Governorship

Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke of Osun State has built a notable political profile that has taken him from a corporate career in the United States and Nigeria to the highest political office in the state, earning him widespread recognition for his grassroots appeal and energetic public persona.

According to Ireporter Online, Adeleke was born on May 13, 1960, into the prominent Adeleke family of Ede, Osun State. The former senator assumed office as governor of Osun State in November 2022 after a political journey that included a stint in the National Assembly.

Adeleke began his education at Methodist Primary School in Surulere, Lagos, before continuing at Nawarudeen Primary School in Ikire, Osun State. He later attended Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School and Ede Muslim Grammar School, both in Ede.

He subsequently travelled to the United States for higher education, attending Jacksonville State University in Alabama before obtaining a degree from Atlanta Metropolitan State College in Georgia.

Before venturing fully into politics, Adeleke built experience in the private sector. Between 1985 and 1989, he worked with Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, before becoming Vice President of Origin International LLC, a flavours and fragrance manufacturing firm, between 1990 and 1994.

Upon returning to Nigeria, he served as an Executive Director at Guinness Nigeria Plc from 1992 to 1999. He later became Group Executive Director of Pacific Holdings Limited, the family-owned conglomerate, where he served from 2001 to 2016.

Adeleke’s active political journey gained momentum following the death of his elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the first civilian governor of Osun State, in April 2017. Although he initially belonged to the All Progressives Congress, he moved to the Peoples Democratic Party in 2017 following disagreements surrounding the party’s primary process.

He subsequently contested the Osun West Senatorial District by-election on the PDP platform and emerged victorious in July 2017, serving in the Senate until 2019.

Adeleke first contested the Osun governorship in 2018 after securing the PDP ticket in a closely fought primary. The September 2018 election, which also featured APC candidate Gboyega Oyetola and SDP candidate Iyiola Omisore, was declared inconclusive by the electoral commission and proceeded to a supplementary poll.

Oyetola was eventually declared the winner, a result Adeleke challenged through the courts. Although an election tribunal later ruled in Adeleke’s favour, the Supreme Court ultimately upheld Oyetola’s victory in 2019.

Adeleke returned to the governorship race four years later and defeated Oyetola in the July 2022 election. He secured 402,979 votes against Oyetola’s 375,077, winning in 17 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas.

His political career has also been accompanied by controversies, including allegations concerning his academic credentials ahead of the 2018 election. However, a legal challenge seeking his disqualification was dismissed after the allegations were not established in court.

Beyond politics, Adeleke has become widely recognised for his energetic dancing at rallies, public events and family celebrations. His opponents initially used videos of his dancing to question his political seriousness, but he eventually embraced the nickname “Dancing Senator,” turning it into a distinctive part of his public image.

Adeleke is married to Titilola Adeleke, and they have three children: Adebayo Adeleke, popularly known as B-Red, Shina Adeleke, also known as Shina Rambo, and Nike Adeleke. He is also the uncle of Nigerian Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

As the August 2026 Osun governorship election approaches, Adeleke is seeking another term under the Accord Party. His campaign has highlighted his administration’s record in areas including infrastructure, workers’ welfare, healthcare and local economic development as he seeks to retain his position as governor.