Re-elected Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has revealed that he visited the grave of his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, popularly known as Serubawon, before the governorship election to seek his prayers and draw psychological strength from him.
Adeleke disclosed this in an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, following his victory in the Osun governorship election.
Speaking about his late brother, the governor said they shared similar personalities and a love for life, adding that he still misses him deeply.
“My late brother Serubawon and I, we are alike. We behave the same way. He loved life, too. I miss him a lot,” Adeleke said.
The governor said he sometimes visits his brother’s grave and tears up, adding that he went there again on the eve of the election to seek his brother’s prayers.
“Sometimes I cry. I go to his grave and say, ‘Brother, I miss you,’ and I cry. Even yesterday, before the election, I always go there and say, ‘Brother, here I am again on the march. I am going for an election. I want you to pray for me.’ You know, just a psychological boost for me,” he revealed.
Isiaka Adeleke, who died on April 23, 2017, was the first civilian Governor of Osun State and later represented Osun West Senatorial District in the Senate.
His death marked a turning point in Ademola Adeleke’s political career. The younger Adeleke subsequently contested the Osun West senatorial seat and won, before later emerging as governor of the state.
Reflecting on his family’s role in his political journey, Governor Adeleke said his siblings had remained supportive throughout his career.
He also attributed his re-election to the continued support of the people of Osun State, saying the electorate had embraced the Adeleke family.
The governor defeated his closest challenger in the election to secure a second term as governor of Osun State.
Adeleke, the candidate of Accord Party, won the Osun governorship election with 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes.
The governor won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
Following his victory, Adeleke described the result as a triumph for democracy and pledged to use his second term to transform Osun from a civil-service-dependent state into an industrial hub.
He also called for unity in the state, saying there was “no victor, no vanquished”.
His victory sparked celebrations across Osun, particularly in Osogbo and his hometown, Ede, while Davido also celebrated his uncle’s re-election on social media.
