Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has defended his love for dancing, saying the hobby has never interfered with his responsibilities 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, who described himself as a “prudent worker,” said dancing was part of his personality and family culture, stressing that he remained committed to his duties despite his frequent public displays of the hobby.
“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 amid criticism from Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who recently mocked him at an All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Osun State and urged voters not to re-elect what he called the “dancing governor.”
Responding to his critics, Adeleke said those who were uncomfortable with his dancing could learn the skill from him.
“If they can’t dance, I can teach them how to dance,” he said.
The governor maintained that dancing was simply a hobby and had no bearing on his performance in office.
“Dancing is a hobby. That does not affect my work. My people love me,” he added.
Adeleke also used the occasion to highlight some of the achievements of his administration, particularly in infrastructure and healthcare.
He said his government had constructed and rehabilitated roads across the state, with solar-powered streetlights installed on some of the roads to improve security and support 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.
On healthcare, Adeleke said more than 200 primary healthcare centres had been upgraded and rehabilitated, with facilities including electricity and clean water.
“As of today, we have upgraded and rehabilitated over 200 primary healthcare facilities to global standards, equipped with electricity and clean water,” he said.
He further stated that qualified engineers had inspected and certified the projects executed by his administration as meeting international standards.
Adeleke is seeking another term in office on the platform of the Accord Party, after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, under which he won the 2022 governorship election.
He is contesting against the APC candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, and other contenders in Saturday’s election.
