Billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke, father of Nigerian music star Davido, has revealed what he described as the reason the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost the Osun State governorship election to his younger brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Adeleke said the victory was not the result of superior financial strength or greater political influence, but of divine intervention and the determination of voters to support his brother despite alleged attempts to influence the election with money.
“Let Oyetola hear. Let him know the reason why we defeated him. The only reason why we defeated Oyetola is not that we are bigger or that we spent more money than him,” he said.
According to him, the Adeleke camp did not spend money on election day, while the opposition allegedly deployed billions of naira in an attempt to sway voters.
“On election day, we didn’t spend any money. They spent 60 billion, as we heard. In some places, they bought most votes for as high as 50,000 naira for a single vote,” Adeleke said.
He recalled that after hearing reports about the alleged spending on election day, he withdrew to his room to pray for voters to accept the money being offered but still cast their ballots for Ademola Adeleke.
“On the day of the election, when I heard the kind of money they were spending, I went back to my little corner in my room, and I knelt down, and I prayed to God. I said, God Almighty, let people collect their money, but let them still vote for Ademola Adeleke,” he said.
Adeleke also attributed his confidence during the political battle to his daily prayer routine, saying he regularly turns to specific Bible passages for strength and guidance.
“And I will just want everyone to do my routine. When I need God to pray every day, I have some Bible passages and verses that I read and that I pray with. And this is part of my testimony,” he said.
He disclosed that Isaiah 41:10 is one of the passages he reads and prays with daily, saying the scripture reinforces his faith and helps him remain unafraid in the face of challenges.
“The fourth Bible passage that I read every day when I go on my knees to pray is found in Isaiah chapter 41, starting from verse 10,” Adeleke said.
He further explained that his strong belief in God has made him less concerned about seeking access to influential individuals or competing with others for the attention of people in high places.
“And when I finish reading this, you know that I’m not the reason why I’m not afraid of anything. You know the reason why I am not bothered about anything. Because I believe my belief in God Almighty is very strong,” he said.
Adeleke added: “And that’s why you don’t see me running after people in high places or competing with people to go and visit anyone. I would rather do it in my little corner. I would rather ask God Almighty to help me.”
The businessman’s comments offered a glimpse into the personal prayers and convictions he said sustained him during the political contest involving his brother, Ademola Adeleke, and the APC candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.
