Politically speaking, Osun State in the last four years or thereabout has been about two predominant dynasties that are renowned for wealth, power, influence, connection, fame, capacity to make things happen and alter events to suit and serve their wish. The Adeleke Dynasty and the BAT Dynasty are two dynasties not to cross. Unfortunately, these two families have crossed each other since 2015 when Ademola Adeleke, an illustrious indigene of Ede in Osun State decided to sustain the legacy of his late brother Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke whose administration was cut short by cardiac arrest- that some people have described as metaphysical- by contesting the Governorship seat against Adegboyega Oyetola; an illustrious indigene of Iragbiji and an iconic beloved relative of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress.

Ordinarily, a cursory look at their names “Ademola Adeleke” and “Adegboyega Oyetola” suggest royalty and nobility, hence, the battle for the soul of Osun State since 2015 has been a duel of nobility and royalty in which case, if understanding and compromise are not reached, then these dynasties will not desist from suffocating each other with their enormous wherewithal.

The Adeleke Dynasty

To have a firm grasp of the Adeleke Dynasty, it is appropriate to write about this family from three egalitarian stand points, namely: 

1. Politics
2. Business and 
3. Entertainment

A lot of young folks won’t understand the political dynasty of the Adelekes beyond Ademola Adeleke, the Dancing Senator, the incumbent Governor of Osun State. A few older adults in their thirties however would still likely remember Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, popularly called “Serubawon” . He through his unfortunate death paved way for his younger brother Ademola Adeleke politically. The people of Osun especially those of Ede extraction have never hidden their rugged commitment to seeing to it that not only does Ademola Adeleke become a senator but also a Governor after his late brother who was senator twice and Governor once. He was therefore elected to fill his late brother’s vacancy in the Senate following which he was elected Governor.  His signature cap is one of his late brother’s legacies to him.

The Political Dynasty of the Adelekes did not however start with Ademola Adeleke or his late brother Isiaka Adeleke. The dynasty traced back to as far as the era of Madam Adeboyin of Onilegogoro’s compound; a highly respected Iya Lode in Ede, Osun State, who gave birth to Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke, a second Republic Senator who was born in 1923. It is fundamental to note that politics and administration run in the veins and blood of these noble family.

 However, not only politics and administration are innate to the Adelekes, they also pride themselves in Business sophistication. For instance, the position of “Iyalode” occupied by Madam Adeboyin symbolizes business, social and political relevance. I have never seen an Iyalode that is not well to do in my life. But far greater than the Iyalode is a grandson called Adedeji Adeleke, the father of Sharon Ademefun nee (Adeleke), an entrepreneur, the brain behind Rona Wigs Studio and Davido the International Artist. This Adeleke is a symbol of humility and wealth. He stood by his younger brother Ademola Adeleke in his bid to be Governor, his brother; a Governor Elect then, in turn, appreciated him by prostrating flat before him. By the way, the Governor of Osun State also gave birth to a son by the name “B RED” who is also a hip hop artist. Considering that money is the war chest of politics and entertainment is a huge platform for global reach, how a family of politicians is blessed with a multi-billionaire and entertainers is a discourse that requires the gods to preside upon. The Adelekes have consolidated their influence, wealth and legacies for over a period of seventy years. 

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Dynasty

The veracity of Tinubu’s personal history is not straight forward. Often times, writers have had to align with who and what he says he is. In fact, Wikipedia started the first paragraph of his early life and education with “According to affidavits”. Affidavits are deposed to by deponents, and whereas, the deponent in this instant case is BAT himself. He is probably the most researched politician in Nigeria even before his aspiration to become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. People often wonder why BAT has to keep his family and childhood records off the public radar, and how he is able to achieve it. However, since this article is not an investigative one, it will also simply align. 

One thing is clear and unarguably so about BAT; he is an institution. He started the BAT political dynasty. But unlike the Adeleke Dynasty in which the family is more rigidly connected by bloodline, the BAT family is an adoption dynasty, himself though rumored to be an adoptee, he nevertheless, fathers many people who are not biologically related to him. BAT welcomes all. For example, BAT that has his root traced to Iragbiji on which account, the former Governor of Osun State is rumored to be his cousin-which is also not improbable. The same BAT is the father of modern Lagos and his Lagos bona fide is undeniable.   

The Peoples’s Choice

While it is difficult to categorically state that Ademola Adeleke is the people’s choice, particularly, considering that despite that there are two local governments carved out of Ede, i.e. Ede North and Ede South, Iragbiji, the home town of Gboyega Oyetola has more population with a single local government; Boripe, than Ede. Nevertheless, any time there is an unclear margin between an incumbent Governor and his opponent in an election, the incumbent is either not popular or the people are bent on making a statement or are willing to get rid of him and want change. There are many factors that could be responsible for such weariness or disaffection which may not be directly related to the Governor. The factors could be purely external and not necessarily because of bad programs, poor implementation, non-performance or even incompetence. It may be that people just wish to be emancipated from what is considered to be an external control. In fact, it may be pure politics of recompense.

Also, apart from the election being closely contested, which symbolizes a clear statement, the circumstances under which Oyetola was declared the winner in their first election with die minute political arrangements by APC emissaries, which reopened and rejigged Iyiola Omisore back to political activeness, in a rerun to be determined by him technically, being his constituency, is indicative of a people’s willingness to turn the table. Ordinarily, if it was about money, BAT dynasty as well as the Adeleke Dynasty are more than capable and would have spent money without any iota of parsimoniousness, but APC gave Omisore more than money, they gave him the freedom to live in peace and enjoy his acquisitions without being pursued by government Siberian dogs. On that day, the people of Osun State lost their voice to power and politics.

The Power Play

Power play is summed up in tactics exhibiting or intended to increase a person’s power or influence. The unfolding political drama between the biological dynasty of the Adelekes and the adoption dynasty of BAT is best construed as deeply rooted in power play. There are different types of power play, financial power play, political power play, Institutional power play etc. Unfortunately, where financial power play ends is where political and institutional powerplays start from. The two dynasties have greatly muscled up against each other with money to finance a great political campaign and showmanship, however, the BAT dynasty has overtime mastered the art of continuity of aggressive agitation with the judiciary. BAT is highly reputable for repossessing mandates through the judiciary for his associates. Another brilliant master of the art is Governor Nyesom Wike. Moreso, it is going to be very difficult for anyone to proof foul play, because the same BAT has successfully created a niche as someone who is delightful towards brilliance. He surrounds himself with brilliant lawyers like Professor Yemi Osinbajo and others, hence, when it seemed like Adeleke had finally earned the right to dance to victory in the second contest, the BAT dynasty has once again punched him in the face through the tribunal. Lest I forget, the BAT dynasty is about to produce the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with BAT himself as the eponymous character should my first degree in Political Science and my political and analytical minds not fail me. 

Ebenezer Omotola