“The Dancing Senator” Does It Again: Adeleke’s Priceless Reaction The Moment INEC Declared Him Winner
Some things never change, and Governor Ademola Adeleke’s reaction to victory is exactly one of them. The moment INEC officially declared him winner of the 2026 Osun governorship election, Adeleke did what he’s always done best he danced, unfiltered and full of joy, giving Nigerians yet another viral moment straight from Nigeria’s original “Dancing Senator.”
The Official Declaration
Returning Officer Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole made it official at around 7:24 a.m. on Sunday, August 16, at the INEC collation centre in Osogbo, declaring: “Adeleke Ademola of the Accord Party, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared winner and returned elected.” The final numbers confirmed a comfortable victory 511,067 votes for Adeleke against 444,815 for APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, with the African Democratic Congress’s Najeem Salaam trailing in third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke swept 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas to Oyebamiji’s 11.
The moment the results were confirmed, Adeleke’s genuine, joyful reaction captured on camera immediately started making the rounds online, instantly recognisable to anyone who’s followed his political career from the very beginning.
A Nickname That’s Followed Him From The Start
For Adeleke, dancing on victory isn’t new it’s practically his signature. He first earned the “Dancing Senator” nickname back when he won the Osun West senatorial bye-election, where footage of him dancing in celebration went viral and cemented the persona long before he ever became governor. He’s been open about the habit ever since, explaining that dancing is simply something he genuinely loves doing, treating it almost like a form of exercise, and even revealing that he personally taught his children Sina Rambo and B-Red, as well as his nephew Davido, how to dance.
That family dancing lineage is part of what makes this latest viral moment land so well watching the man who literally helped shape Davido’s rhythm celebrate a major political win with the same unmistakable moves feels like a full-circle moment for anyone who’s followed the Adeleke family’s public journey over the years.
The Celebrations Didn’t Stop With Him
Adeleke’s win triggered wider jubilation across the state almost immediately. Supporters who’d kept vigil around the Osogbo collation centre overnight poured onto the streets singing victory songs, with celebrations spreading through Ede the governor’s hometown and the wider city centre as more residents joined in.
Reactions poured in from political circles too. Imole Campaign Council spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi credited Osun voters’ resilience for the outcome and confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had personally called to congratulate Adeleke even before final results were announced a gesture Olajengbesi pointed to as proof of the president’s democratic commitment.
Davido’s Reaction Says It All
Naturally, Davido who spent the entire lead-up to this election vocally campaigning for his uncle online had his own moment once the results were confirmed, simply posting: “we did it.” It was a fittingly understated close to a week that had seen him publicly clash with critics, call out alleged rigging attempts, and even directly confront President Tinubu on X, all in defence of this exact outcome.
Wahala Network Take
From viral senatorial dance moves years ago to this fresh, full-circle celebration as a re-elected governor, Adeleke has built an entire public persona around never hiding his joy and honestly, Nigerians wouldn’t want it any other way. Congratulations to Governor Adeleke on his second term, and here’s hoping those dance moves make an appearance at the inauguration too.
Follow @WahalaNetwork for more gist — a little drama, a little sweetness, just the way we like it.
