Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has defended his frequent displays of dancing, saying the hobby has no bearing on his responsibilities as he seeks re-election in Saturday’s governorship poll.
Adeleke spoke on Tuesday at a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates contesting the 15 August Osun State governorship election.
Responding to criticism over his penchant for dancing, the governor described himself as a “prudent worker” and said dancing was simply part of his personality and a hobby he enjoyed.
“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,” he said.
His comments came after Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, mocked him during an All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Osun State, referring to Adeleke as the “dancing governor” and urging voters to reject him.
Adeleke said those who were unhappy with his dancing should learn the activity themselves, insisting that it had not affected his performance in office.
“If they can’t dance, I can teach them how to dance,” he said.
The governor maintained that his constituents appreciated his personality and reiterated that dancing remained merely a pastime.
“Dancing is a hobby. That does not affect my work. My people love me,” he said.
Adeleke also used the forum to highlight projects undertaken by his administration, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state.
He said solar-powered streetlights had also been installed along some of the roads 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.
On healthcare, the governor said more than 200 primary healthcare facilities had been upgraded and rehabilitated under his administration.
He said the facilities had been equipped with electricity and clean water and upgraded to what he described as global standards.
“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 inspected and certified the projects undertaken by his administration as meeting international standards.
Adeleke is seeking a second term 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 All Progressives Congress candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, among other contenders, in the 15 August election.
