…Over The Last 50 Years
The powerful family roots in the ancient town of Ede, the Adeleke family, got back their social and political groove in Osun State two weeks ago when one of their illustrious sons contested the gubernatorial election against an incumbent governor and won, when the Dancing Senator, Ademola Adeleke emerge the winner at the poll ahead governor Isiaka Oyetola, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi and the rest.
It is no longer news that Ademola Adeleke is the second governor in the family and the third senator in the family line; his late elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke who was popularly known as Serubawon, became the first civilian Governor in the newly created Osun State in 1992.
Popularly called ‘Serubawon’, a moniker he earned by the way he defeated veteran politicians in an open ballot system to emerge the candidate of the then Social Democratic Party (SDP), the 37-year-old Adeleke went on to win the general election against the candidate of the then National Republican Convention (NRC).
Their father, Ayola Adeleke was also a senator in the 2nd republic. The family has been a strong force in Ede and in Osun for over 50 years. Another powerful man in the family who has not practically made any statement politically is Adedeji Adeleke.
Adedeji Adeleke is a billionaire, business magnate and president of Adeleke University and the late Mr Isiaka Adeleke are Ademola’s elder brothers. He is the third and final child of his parents.
The dancing senator became popular in politics after the demise of his brother, Isiaka Adeleke, who served as a senator for Osun-West.
After the death of his elder brother on April 23, 2017, Ademola filled Isiaka’s vacancy in the Senate, popularly called the “dancing senator”, Ademola Adeleke served as a senator for the Osun West Senatorial District between 2017 and 2019.
With nicknames like ‘the dancing senator, Ajobiewe, Ade dancer,’ among others, and numerous videos showing his energetic dance movements littering the Nigerian social media, Sen, Ademola Adeleke became a darling to some Nigerians just as he became an object of scorn to some who disapprove of his dancing hobby as a political leader.
But it is noteworthy to state that the governor-elect is not the only one who loves to dance and socialise among his siblings. The late Serubawon, through whom he got his signature cap, is equally a dancer and socialite who loves hanging out with friends and colleagues.
Their father, Chief Ayoola Adeleke, according to a close family member in Ede, was a fun lover, who enjoys the company of musicians during weekends and festive period. His wife, Madam Adedoyin of the popular Onilegogoro compound was an Iyalode in her time. Chief Ayola was active both socially and politically in the 1930s and he was very rich too.
The second generation of the Adeleke’s; Deji, Isiaka and Ademola were born into affluence and eminent. This is why world renowned singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido stated in one of his songs “My papa don dey spend money since 1964”. Davido is in the third generation of the family that have enjoyed social and political eminence for over 70 years.
From Ede, a major town in Osun West senatorial district, the Adeleke family can now be termed a political dynasty comparable to others in Nigeria and beyond the country’s shores.
Their late dad, Raji Ayoola Adeleke, was a senator from 1979 to 1983 in the Second Republic. He was elected under the banner of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and represented senatorial district 11 which comprised six LGAs – Ede, Osogbo, Irepodun, Ifelodun, Odo-Otin, and Ila Orangun. He was very influential in the politics of old Oyo State from which Osun State was carved out. He was also a prominent leader in his Ede community.
Isiaka, continuing on the path laid by their late patriarch, was also elected a senator twice before his sudden demise. He represented Osun West from 2007 to 2011 on the platform of the PDP but lost the 2011 elections to the candidate of the defunct ACN, Hussein Mudashiru.
Isiaka contested again in 2015 after defecting to the APC and won but died while still serving as a senator in 2017.
Then entered Ademola, who attempted to be the senatorial candidate of the APC in the bye-election to take over his late brother’s seat in the Senate. Denied the APC ticket, he crossed over to take the ticket of the PDP to actualize his senatorial ambition.
He was in the Senate between 2017 and 2019, during which he lost the 2018 governorship election.
Just as his father and brother had delivered, the expectations on Sen. Ademola Adeleke are huge. The people of Osun expect their governor-elect to deliver on the mandate they have given to him, and he had assured that his era will be fulfilling for the people of Osun.
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