OSOGBO, NIGERIA — Adedeji Adeleke, father of Afrobeats superstar Davido, has revealed how he responded after learning that opposition parties were allegedly offering voters as much as N50,000 per vote during the Osun State governorship election, a disclosure that offers a glimpse into the family’s spiritual strategy for securing victory.
In a viral video that has circulated widely across social media, Adeleke recounted the moment he heard about the scale of financial inducements being deployed by the opposition. Rather than despair, the businessman said he retreated to his room, knelt down, and prayed that voters would collect the money but still vote for his brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“Record me and play it to him. Let Oyetola hear. And let him know the reason why we defeated him,” Adeleke said, addressing former Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola directly. “The only reason why we defeated Oyetola is not that we are bigger or that we spent more money than him. On election day, we didn’t spend any money.”
The elder Adeleke disclosed that opposition parties reportedly spent ₦60 billion in their bid to capture the state, offering as much as ₦50,000 for a single vote in some areas. “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,” he said. “I said, ‘God Almighty, let people collect their money, but let them still vote for Ademola Adeleke.'”
The revelation has generated significant buzz, with many interpreting the prayer as a combination of spiritual warfare and political pragmatism. Adeleke’s prayer reflected a belief that voters could accept financial inducements while still exercising their democratic will—a stance that some have praised as shrewd and others have criticised as tacit acceptance of vote-buying.
Adeleke also credited his unwavering faith in God for his confidence throughout the election period. He disclosed that he reads specific Bible passages daily when he goes on his knees to pray, including Isaiah chapter 41, starting from verse 10. “When I finish reading this, you know that I’m not the reason why I’m not afraid of anything,” he said. “You know the reason why I am not bothered about anything. Because I believe my belief in God Almighty is very strong.”
The businessman added that his faith had made him less interested in seeking the attention or support of influential people. “That’s why you don’t see me running after people in high places or competing with people to go and visit anyone,” he explained. “I would rather do it in my little corner. I would rather ask God Almighty to help me.”
Adedeji Adeleke’s comments come after his younger brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke, was declared the winner of the Osun governorship election, securing a second term in office. The governor polled 534,066 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 492,425 votes—a margin that many analysts attributed to the governor’s popularity and grassroots appeal rather than financial firepower.
The elder Adeleke’s prayer strategy has become a talking point among political observers, with some describing it as a masterclass in combining faith with political strategy. Others, however, have expressed concern over the alleged scale of vote-buying reported during the election, calling for stronger enforcement of electoral laws to protect the integrity of future polls.
For the Adeleke family, the victory has cemented their political dynasty in Osun State, with Ademola Adeleke following in the footsteps of his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke. The governor’s re-election ensures continuity of the Accord Party’s administration for another four years. For Adedeji Adeleke, the outcome serves as a testament to the power of prayer—and perhaps a lesson that, in Nigerian politics, faith can be as powerful a weapon as financial might.
