hot moves

Nigeria 2023: Dancing senator’s victory over Tinubu candidate ignites Atiku hopes

By Akin Irede

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Posted on July 18, 2022 12:07

 © Nigerian pop star Davido celebrates with his uncle, the victorious candidate for Governor of Osun State Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke
Nigerian pop star Davido celebrates with his uncle, the victorious candidate for Governor of Osun State Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke

The shocking victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke (aka “the dancing senator”), in the Osun State governorship election, has re-ignited the hopes of the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2023 election. Could it herald an Atiku victory? Not so fast, say supporters of Bola Tinubu, who may yet challenge the result in court.

Ademola Adeleke, a former Nigerian lawmaker better known for his amusing dance steps rather than his legislative track record, recently defeated Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, a largely agrarian state in the southwest of the country.

Oyetola, who is a relative of APC Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, had in 2018 defeated Adeleke by 353 votes in one of Nigeria’s most controversial elections. This victory dogged his administration’s legitimacy.

His closeness to Tinubu did not help matters with the state continuing to struggle under the huge debts incurred by the previous administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

A rematch

Undeterred by his 2018 defeat, Adeleke threw his hat into the ring once more to challenge Oyetola. His colourful campaign was boosted by his superstar nephew, Davido, who serenaded crowds that gathered at several political

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