By Abioye Tosin Lawrence
Governor Ademola Adeleke has formally entered the arena for a second term, marching into the PDP screening hall with confidence strong enough to power a stadium concert.
He spoke boldly, as expected:
“Our popularity is unrivalled. We are ready for victory.”
Promising words. Sweet words.
But in Osun, sweet words do not cook indomie, and voters now carry long spoons.
Adeleke believes he still has the love of the masses.
The youth, however, are asking a simple question:
“Love is good… but where is the evidence?”
After all, romance without provision is karaoke - loud, sweet, but empty.
The Dance vs The Data
Yes, the Governor danced in 2022, a joyful, people-driven dance.
But 2026 will not be choreographed by rhythm; it will be choreographed by results.
Jobs promised, jobs delivered?
Empowerment pledged, empowerment felt?
Infrastructure announced, infrastructure seen, touched, driven on without calling a mechanic?
Osun youths are not wicked, they just want receipts.
A government cannot dance its way into history;
it must work its way there.
And history has a strict marking scheme.
It does not award marks for vibes.
APC: The Accidental Lifeline
Let the truth be said with gentle sarcasm:
Adeleke’s strongest prayer point is not praise-singing crowds, it is APC confusion.
If the opposition spends more time fighting each other than fighting for votes,
the Governor can relax, press play, and rehearse inauguration steps.
But if they unite, bring out a serious candidate, and avoid internal chaos?
Then suddenly, the real exam begins.
Osun’s Silence Is Not Sleep
Some say the state is calm.
But political silence is sometimes like church silence during offering,
everyone is calculating.
Osun is watching.
The riders, the traders, the civil servants, the graduates waiting for jobs like destiny, the market women who know political promises by smell, all watching.
Even the ballot boxes are stretching their muscles;
PVCs are sipping water and clearing their throats.
2026 is not a coronation.
It is a report-card season.
And no government passes by swagger, only by deliverables.
Final note
Adeleke has declared for second term.
Good. That is his right.
But the youths, the same youths who believed in new currency, not recycled politics, are coming with questions.
Not insults.
Not bitterness.
Just questions.
And in democracy, questions are patriotic.
Osun will speak, in silence first, then in numbers, then in verdict.
The stage is set.
The drums are warming.
The dance continues,
but this time, the song belongs to the voters.
Abioye Tosin Lawrence is the Publisher of Oriontimes Online Newspaper and author of Voices from the Fire: My Journey Through a Hollow Empire.
