Family at War as Ambition Tears Senator Ademola and Dele Adeleke Apart

HighLife

When talking about the corporate corridor, especially at the corners where very large sums of money often exchange hands, we say that it is a dog-eat-dog world. For some reason, we do not extend the same thought to politics. Maybe we all recognize that politics is a ruthless exchange at its core, and that family interests are almost always trumped by personal interests. Seeing members of the Adeleke’s lineage in Osun State preparing to charge at each other stirs the mind and shows politics for what it truly is: a ruthless exchange.

Dusting their documents and readying their resources, the interest groups in Osun are on the heels of finalizing the preparations for the 2022 gubernatorial race. Among these interest groups, two individuals immediately stand out: Senator Ademola Adeleke and Dele Adeleke. Even more astounding is the fact that both these individuals — who are related by blood — are vying for the same political position under the same multi-coloured umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Senator Ademola is not a stranger to the gubernatorial race. The Dancing Senator, as he is fondly called by the public, has attempted to seize that mantle and almost succeeded during the last election. Dele, on the other hand, is not exactly a greenhorn in politics. However, this is the first time he is contesting for something so conspicuous. That Senator Ademola is Dele’s Uncle makes the latter’s gubernatorial ambition something to think about.

According to those who know the matter, Dele’s emergence is not surprising. During the 2018 elections that almost saw Senator Ademola outmanoeuvre Gboyega Oyetola to become Osun governor, Dele was reportedly the PDP Agent at the state collation centre. Also, because Dele has shown himself to be a brilliant business manager, it is rumoured that several influential stakeholders are willing to stand behind him.

By every indication, Dele is a big threat to Senator Ademola’s governorship dreams. There are so many ways this can go wrong, with the possibility of hostile exchanges. In fact, the Adeleke family is in trouble.