Davido’s Billionaire Dad Breaks Silence on Osun Poll, Says Prayers Defeated Oyetola’s ‘N60bn’

• Tinubu’s Man: President Knew APC Would Lose Election

…Aregbesola, Obi Salute Adeleke, Condemn Violence

By Yinka Giwa
The father of Afrobeats superstar Davido, billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke, has broken his silence on the outcome of the August 15 Osun governorship election, attributing his brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election partly to divine intervention after what he described as massive spending by the opposition.

At the same time, veteran journalist Babajide Kolade-Otitoju has offered a striking interpretation of President Bola Tinubu’s role in the election, arguing that the President deliberately allowed the democratic process to take its course despite the All Progressives Congress (APC) fielding a candidate against the incumbent governor.

The developments came as former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola congratulated Adeleke on his victory, while presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, urged Nigerians not to forget those who lost their lives during the electoral process.

Speaking in a video that has gone viral, Adedeji Adeleke said his brother’s victory was not primarily the result of superior financial resources, claiming that the opposition spent enormous sums in an attempt to influence voters.

“Record me and play it to him. Let Oyetola hear. And let him know the reason why we defeated him,” Adeleke said, apparently referring to former Osun Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.

“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. They spent 60 billion, as we heard.”

He further alleged that votes were purchased in some areas for as much as N50,000 each, although the claim was not independently established in the material provided.

Adeleke said that after hearing reports of the alleged spending, he withdrew to his room, knelt down and prayed that voters who collected money would nevertheless cast their ballots for his brother.

“I said, God Almighty, let people collect their money, but let them still vote for Ademola Adeleke,” he said.

He attributed his confidence during the election to his Christian faith, explaining that he regularly reads Bible passages as part of his daily prayers, including Isaiah 41:10.

Adeleke said his faith had made him less concerned about seeking the favour of powerful individuals, preferring instead to rely on his prayers.

The comments came after Adeleke defeated APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji in the closely contested election, securing 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,815, according to the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The margin was 66,252 votes.

But while the result has been interpreted by various political actors as a major setback for the APC, Kolade-Otitoju argued that President Tinubu should not be blamed for the party’s defeat.

Speaking on his programme, the veteran journalist said Tinubu acted as a statesman by refusing to deploy federal power to manipulate the outcome in favour of the APC candidate.

According to him, the President demonstrated political maturity by allowing the voters to determine the winner rather than using the machinery of government to influence the result.

Kolade-Otitoju said the major political responsibility for the APC’s poor performance should instead be placed on Oyetola, whom he accused of creating an impression within the party that defeating Adeleke would be straightforward.

He argued that this contributed to the President’s decision not to interfere with the electoral process when it became apparent that the APC candidate was struggling.

The journalist also said Tinubu intervened when tensions heightened on election night, recalling that the President contacted Adeleke at about 11 p.m. in an effort to calm the situation and prevent a possible escalation.

He credited the peaceful conclusion of the election partly to electoral reforms and the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), arguing that the process demonstrated the growing capacity of Nigeria’s electoral institutions to deliver credible elections.

Adeleke had publicly endorsed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, a development that has fuelled speculation about the relationship between the two politicians.

There was also controversy shortly before the election following the freezing of an Osun State Government account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The account was subsequently unfrozen following reported presidential intervention.

Tinubu also urged INEC and security agencies on the eve of the election to ensure that the poll was free, fair, credible and transparent.

Following Adeleke’s declaration as winner, the President called him to congratulate him and said the result reflected the confidence of Osun voters in the governor.

These developments have strengthened arguments by those who believe Tinubu was prepared to allow the election to proceed without federal interference, even at the risk of an APC defeat.

However, the APC has said it is studying the results and would explore available constitutional and legal options.

Former Governor Aregbesola, meanwhile, congratulated Adeleke and commended the people of Osun for what he described as political sophistication.

He also paid tribute to members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), acknowledging their commitment to the party’s candidate, Najeem Salaam, despite the eventual outcome.

Aregbesola said the people had exercised their sovereign right to choose their governor and that their decision must be respected.

He urged Adeleke to regard his re-election as a renewed mandate to unite Osun, deepen development and govern with fairness, humility and responsibility to all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

To ADC members, Aregbesola said: “Thank you,” praising their steadfastness, courage and commitment throughout the campaign.

He particularly commended Salaam for conducting himself with dignity and accepting the outcome of the election in the interest of peace and unity.

Aregbesola urged members of the ADC to remain united and disciplined, stressing that political journeys were often longer than individual electoral contests.

“Political journeys are often longer than individual electoral contests,” he said, urging party members to continue engaging constructively, speaking for the people and holding government accountable.

Obi, on his part, congratulated Adeleke and the people of Osun but cautioned against celebrating the electoral victory without remembering those who died during the election period.

“While celebrating, let us also remember those who paid the ultimate price for democracy,” Obi said.

The NDC presidential candidate expressed sympathy for families of those who lost their lives, irrespective of their political affiliations, and called for the families to be identified, visited and appropriately supported.

“Elections should be about the people, their choices, and their aspirations — not about the loss of precious lives. No political victory is worth the blood of a Nigerian,” he said.

Obi argued that Nigeria’s democracy must mature to the point where elections no longer come at the cost of human lives and where political disagreements are settled through issue-based campaigns and the rule of law.

He said the Osun election should ultimately strengthen democratic institutions and reinforce the principle that political power belongs to the people.