Adeleke’s Osun victory was driven by grassroots support and Davido’s social media efforts, according to ADC chieftain Dele Momodu
African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dele Momodu has attributed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the Osun governorship election to his strong grassroots appeal and close relationship with voters, while praising music star Davido for keeping supporters informed online during the poll.
Also read: Soludo Congratulates Adeleke on Osun Re-election
Momodu, a former presidential candidate and prominent member of the ADC, made the assessment during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, two days after Adeleke secured re-election.
The ADC chieftain said Adeleke’s connection with residents across Osun gave the governor a significant advantage over his opponents.
“It was obvious that this man is a grassroots man, very down to earth, loves his people,” Momodu said.
“I have followed his trajectory with keen interest, so it was obvious to me that the people love him.”
Momodu also pointed to projects carried out by the Adeleke administration across different parts of the state, saying the governor’s visibility at grassroots level helped strengthen his position ahead of the election.
Adeleke secured 511,067 votes to defeat All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who received 444,815 votes. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam finished third with 17,180 votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The 66,252-vote margin gave Adeleke victory in 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
Beyond Adeleke’s political organisation, Momodu singled out Davido, the international music star and the governor’s nephew, for his role during voting and collation.
The singer used his substantial social media following to share updates and draw attention to developments surrounding the election, according to Momodu.
“I’m happy with what Davido did with social media, making sure that they were aware. He was updating them regularly. I think that also saved the day,” he said.
Davido’s involvement added a high-profile celebrity dimension to an election that attracted considerable national attention, particularly because of his family connection to the governor.
Momodu, however, said Adeleke’s victory should also be viewed through a wider political lens ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
He argued that the result demonstrated the importance of local political relationships and voter sentiment, rather than relying solely on the influence of national political figures.
The ADC chieftain said the APC campaign leaned heavily on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political influence, suggesting that the Osun result offered a warning that voters could still make decisions based on local considerations.
President Tinubu had congratulated Adeleke after INEC declared him winner, saying the election outcome demonstrated the continuing strength of democratic processes.
The president’s response contrasted with the position of the APC campaign organisation, which has said it is auditing the election results before deciding whether to accept the declaration or pursue legal action.
Momodu also raised concerns about the collation process, although he did not provide evidence during the interview to substantiate allegations of attempted manipulation.
The comments therefore come at a sensitive moment, with the APC still examining electoral documents and the governor preparing for another term in office.
For Adeleke, the result represents a significant political endorsement from Osun voters.
For the opposition, the election provides an early indication of the challenges that could confront national political strategies built around the influence of prominent figures.
Also read: Soludo Congratulates Adeleke on Osun Re-election
Momodu’s assessment ultimately places grassroots organisation, personal connection and effective communication at the heart of Adeleke’s re-election, while Davido’s digital intervention highlights the growing influence of social media in Nigeria’s electoral politics.
