Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has defended his public displays of dancing, insisting that the hobby has not affected his performance in office as he seeks a second term.
Adeleke spoke on Tuesday at a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates contesting the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Describing himself as a “prudent worker,” the governor said dancing was part of his personality and family culture, but maintained that he remained focused on his responsibilities.
“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 after recent criticism from Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who mocked Adeleke during an All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Osun State and urged voters to reject what he called the “dancing governor.”
Adeleke dismissed the criticism, saying those who were uncomfortable with his dancing could learn the activity themselves.
“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 responsibilities.
“Dancing is a hobby. That does not affect my work. My people love me,” he said.
Adeleke also used the town hall to highlight projects implemented by his administration across the state.
He said his government had constructed and rehabilitated roads and installed solar-powered streetlights along some of the routes to improve security and support economic activity.
“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.
The governor also claimed that more than 200 primary healthcare facilities had been upgraded and rehabilitated under his administration.
“As of today, we have upgraded and rehabilitated over 200 primary healthcare facilities to global standards, equipped with electricity and clean water,” Adeleke said.
He added that qualified engineers had certified the projects completed by his administration as meeting international standards.
Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, under which he won the 2022 governorship election.
He is facing All Progressives Congress candidate Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam and other contenders in the August 15 election.
Author
