One dance step, one vote

This past weekend marked Nigeria's first election in which dancing was thought to have been a significant factor in determining a political victory. Osun State Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke is renowned for his impressive dance moves, characterized by graceful footwork, lively body movements, and a distinctive head tilt, whether he is dressed in formal attire or a traditional agbada.

All Nigerian candidates must engage in a dance routine during campaign rallies, either well-executed or clumsy, depending on individual style. Adeleke, often overlooked as a skilled dancer due to his larger frame, outshone his competitors in the recent Osun State governorship election.

According to calculations, the number of votes Adeleke received in the weekend election closely matched the number of dance steps he performed since his 2022 election. On Sunday, August 16, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner of the Osun State off-season governorship election, securing 511,067 votes.

He triumphed over Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 444,815 votes, and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Dr. Najeem Salaam, who garnered 17,180 votes.

While we may never know the exact impact of Adeleke's dancing on his victory, as exit polls are not reliable in Nigeria, it is clear that his performance played a role in his triumph. Adeleke's victory was particularly noteworthy as it occurred in the heart of Yorubaland, the ancestral homeland of President Bola Tinubu, who is also a member of the APC.

The presidential candidate's nephew and former governor of the state, Gbenga Oyetola, had endorsed Oyebamiji throughout the election process. Oyetola harbored a grudge against Adeleke, who had defeated him in the 2022 elections.

APC candidates were accompanied by large entourages, including ten state governors, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, and numerous security personnel, such as 15,000 policemen, 1,500 Civil Defence corpsmen, and thirty Police Commissioners. These forces were deployed to ensure election security, causing significant disruption to the campaign. Despite the overwhelming presence of APC supporters, Adeleke remained unfazed by their size, focusing instead on the presence of the military police, who were tasked with maintaining order.

The election also saw tensions between Adeleke's supporters and Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who allegedly threatened to have his opponents killed. While Fadahunsi later clarified that he meant for Adeleke's supporters to be removed through the ballot box, his inflammatory remarks raised concerns about the conduct of the election.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously frozen Osun State government accounts, leading to accusations of vote-buying. In response, President Tinubu ordered the release of the accounts, deeming the move embarrassing.

Overall, Adeleke's dance steps played a pivotal role in his win, as they symbolized his appeal to the electorate. The election serves as a test run for the upcoming general election, with questions remaining as to whether such an event could be replicated on a national scale.