Ngozi Adeleke, wife of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has revealed that her husband’s famous dancing skills predate his political career, recalling how he danced at their traditional wedding.
Speaking in a recent interview with Vanguard, Adeleke said her husband’s dancing earned him the nickname ‘Jackson’, adding that she enjoys watching him display his famous moves.
She explained that her husband was not involved in politics when they got married, saying his elder brother was the one active in politics at the time.
The governor, who has earned the nickname “Dancing Governor”, has made his energetic dance moves a defining feature of his public appearances, using them to connect with supporters and residents.
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While his political opponents have criticised the displays as unbecoming of a governor, Adeleke has defended his dancing as a hobby and a way to relieve stress and praise God. He has maintained that his love for dancing does not interfere with his official responsibilities or his performance as governor.
“My husband did not start dancing today. I got to meet with him when he was in school in the US,” said the governor’s wife. ” They called him Jackson because of his dancing skills. When we went to my village for my traditional marriage, my husband danced from morning till the next morning. He brought Shina Peters himself, along with another musician. It was like a carnival.
“I don’t think my village people have ever seen that type of wedding up till today. They still talk about it. I didn’t marry him as a politician. Then, his elder brother was the one involved in politics. When he came on board, people thought he had just started dancing. When my village people now see him on video or television, they say, “Leave him for us, we appreciate him.”
Not only dancing
Adeleke further revealed that her husband is not only a talented dancer but also sings well as he praises God.
She described him as a strong man who rarely gets angry.
“In my house now, I can say I am the only one who doesn’t know how to dance. If you know my husband, you will not see him sick or angry because at any given time, if he’s not singing, he is praising God or dancing.
“He’s a very strong man, loves people around him, merry-making. With him, no dull moment. My husband was in the choir. He can beat the drum and sing very well.”
She commended her husband for his work in the state, highlighting the timely payment of workers’ salaries, infrastructural development and other projects he has delivered.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the INEC declared Adeleke the winner of Saturday’s governorship election.
Joshua Ogunwole, the State Returning Officer, announced that Mr Adeleke, who ran on the Accord Party platform, won with 511,067 votes, defeating his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who received 444,815 votes.
Adeleke’s wives
Governor Adeleke is married to Titilola Adeleke and Ngozi Adeleke, both of whom have appeared publicly alongside him and have been described in official state communications as his wives.
However, the distinction over the First Lady title became a public issue in April 2024 ahead of a visit to Osun by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
Amid reports of confusion over which of the governor’s wives would receive Mrs Tinubu, the Osun State Government issued a statement explicitly identifying Titilola Adeleke as the First Lady of Osun State and stating that she would officially host Mrs Tinubu.
The government referred to Ngozi in the same statement as “the wife of the State Governor” and said there was no dispute between the women over the role.
Official state communications have subsequently continued to identify Titilola as the state’s First Lady. In December 2025, for example, the government again described her as “the First Lady of the state” while marking her 60th birthday.
Ngozi, meanwhile, has remained publicly active as the governor’s wife. Governor Adeleke has credited her with supporting his family and administration with her empowerment and humanitarian activities.