Adeleke’s dancing was political language, not weakness — APC youth leader

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke's public displays of dancing and singing during his campaign were described by the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader, Dayo Israel, as a deliberate political strategy that fostered emotional connections with voters. The remarks came following Adeleke's decisive win in Saturday’s governorship election, where he secured 511,067 votes against APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who received 444,815 votes. In a widely shared Facebook post, Israel highlighted that Adeleke’s ability to engage with the grassroots through cultural expressions such as dancing and singing should not be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness. Instead, these actions were framed as part of a broader effort to build trust and rapport with the electorate. Israel emphasized that political success hinges not only on policy discussions but also on emotional resonance, identity, and community belonging. He noted that Adeleke’s approach allowed him to bridge the gap between the state government and ordinary citizens, making him more relatable and accessible. The APC youth leader identified Adeleke as one of three key figures who shaped the election, alongside other influential leaders. According to Israel, Adeleke’s willingness to embrace local traditions and emotions played a crucial role in strengthening his grassroots appeal. “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,” he stated. Israel further pointed out that some political analysts had overlooked the significance of Adeleke’s public persona, focusing instead on traditional metrics of political performance. He argued that electoral outcomes are influenced by factors beyond elite approval, including the ability to resonate with specific demographics. “Our party must stop confusing sophistication with electoral value,” he said. “A candidate may dominate elite discourse and still fail to move a ward. Another may be mocked in elite spaces and still command overwhelming loyalty on the ground.” The APC youth leader also acknowledged the role of Davido, Adeleke’s nephew and a popular Nigerian musician, in mobilizing young voters. Israel praised Davido for leveraging his influence, networks, and digital platforms to connect the campaign with a younger audience. “Davido did not treat his role as symbolic. He was placed at the centre of youth mobilisation and used his influence, networks, music, digital reach and personal credibility to connect the campaign to a generation,” he said. Israel raised concerns about the APC’s lack of comparable young influencers who could similarly galvanize support. He questioned whether the party had individuals akin to Davido who could effectively engage younger voters. Additionally, he called for greater inclusivity within the party, urging reconciliation of internal divisions and stronger involvement of the youth and women’s wings. He also stressed the importance of building robust campaign structures long before elections, rather than assembling them hastily. “A campaign council must be formed early, properly funded, given clear deliverables and held accountable. Anything less is theatre, not strategy,” he said. As the APC reflects on its loss in Osun, Israel urged the party to draw lessons from Adeleke’s successful campaign and Davido’s impact on youth engagement. “President Tinubu gave us a democratic contest. Governor Adeleke understood his people. Davido understood his generation,” he concluded. “The question is whether the APC understands its own lesson.”