Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Weng Global
Dr. Deji Adeleke, elder brother of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has said he never doubted his brother’s ability to win the 2026 Osun governorship election, despite what he described as strong opposition forces backing the challenge against the governor.
Speaking at a victory celebration held on Sunday night, August 16, following Ademola Adeleke’s declaration as winner of the election, Deji said his confidence remained firm throughout the campaign and voting period.
According to him, his certainty was rooted not in political discussions or consultations with others, but in his personal faith and daily prayers.
“I don’t discuss with anybody. I do it in the corner of my room. I do this every day. So, I was not worried. I had no doubt in my mind that Ademola will win. Ademola will overcome,” Deji said.
His remarks came hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of the Osun governorship election. PUNCH reported that Deji made the comments during the governor’s victory celebration after the results were announced.
Confidence Amid Political Opposition
The election had attracted considerable political attention, with the contest widely viewed as a major test for the Adeleke administration.
Deji suggested that the political forces working against his younger brother did not shake his confidence in the eventual outcome. Rather, he maintained that he believed Ademola would overcome the challenges and secure another mandate from voters.
His comments underline the strong family support surrounding the governor during the election.
The Adeleke family has remained a prominent force in Osun politics and business, with Deji playing a particularly influential role as a businessman and philanthropist. The Osun State Government has previously described him as a major source of support and counsel to the governor.
The governor, in a birthday message to Deji earlier in 2026, described his elder brother as a pillar of strength and a source of guidance whose influence extends beyond the family.
Faith Played Central Role
Deji’s comments also revealed the personal approach he adopted during the election period.
Rather than publicly engaging in political debates over the governor’s chances, he said he preferred to retreat privately and pray.
Reports following the victory celebration indicated that Deji maintained a daily prayer routine focused on his brother’s success. He reportedly used biblical passages in his prayers and remained confident that the outcome would favour Ademola.
That approach allowed him to remain calm even as the political contest intensified.
For Deji, the election was therefore not simply a political contest but also a matter of faith and personal conviction.
Adeleke Declared Winner
Governor Ademola Adeleke was declared winner of the Osun governorship election on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Reports indicate that Adeleke defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the closely watched contest. Available results reported after the election put Adeleke on 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes.
The result triggered celebrations among Adeleke’s supporters and members of his family.
Afrobeats star Davido, who is Ademola Adeleke’s nephew and Deji Adeleke’s son, also publicly celebrated the victory. Davido shared an emotional reaction after INEC declared his uncle the winner.
The victory celebration later became a major family gathering, with Deji himself hosting festivities in honour of his brother.
From Tension to Celebration
The atmosphere surrounding the Adeleke family changed dramatically following the announcement of the election result.
Before the declaration, the contest had generated intense political interest across Osun State. Following the announcement, however, the Adeleke camp shifted its attention to celebration and thanksgiving.
Deji was among those who openly expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
Videos from the celebration also showed the businessman joining in the festivities, with footage of him dancing attracting attention on social media. Reports described his participation as an unusual public display of celebration for the normally reserved businessman.
The celebration reflected the broader mood among Adeleke supporters, who regarded the election result as a significant political victory.
A Family With Strong Political Links
The relationship between Deji and Governor Ademola Adeleke has featured prominently in the political story of the Adeleke family.
Deji is a prominent businessman and philanthropist and is the founder of Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State. The state government has repeatedly recognised his contributions to business, philanthropy and community development.
His influence within the family has also been acknowledged by Governor Adeleke, who has publicly described him as a dependable source of advice and encouragement.
The brothers have also previously worked together around issues affecting Osun State. In April 2026, Deji donated N500 million to the Osun State Security Trust Fund as part of efforts to strengthen security in the state.
That contribution demonstrated the businessman’s continued involvement in initiatives connected to his home state.
What the Victory Means for Adeleke
The governor’s victory gives Ademola Adeleke another opportunity to consolidate his administration and pursue the policies he presented to voters.
For the Adeleke family, the outcome also represents another significant political achievement.
Deji’s statement that he had “no doubt” about the victory has since become one of the notable comments emerging from the celebrations.
His explanation that he relied on private prayer rather than political consultations provides an insight into the personal confidence he maintained throughout the electoral process.
The statement also reflects the importance of faith in the political lives of many Nigerian public figures, where election campaigns often involve not only rallies and strategy meetings but also prayers, religious gatherings and expressions of spiritual confidence.
Looking Ahead
With the election now concluded, attention is expected to shift toward governance and the responsibilities that come with another mandate.
For Governor Adeleke, the immediate challenge will be translating the electoral victory into continued public support through effective governance.
For his brother Deji, however, the election has already produced the outcome he said he expected.
His message at the victory celebration was clear: despite the opposition and political pressure surrounding the contest, he never lost confidence that Ademola Adeleke would prevail.
The declaration by INEC ultimately confirmed that confidence, giving the Adeleke family another reason to celebrate.
As political attention moves beyond the election, the governor will face the task of delivering on the expectations of voters, while his supporters and family members look to the next phase of his administration.
Sources: PUNCH, Osun State Government official website, Legit.ng, The Guardian Nigeria.
