Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has given a rare and deeply personal insight into his relationship with his elder brother, Adedeji Adeleke, the father of Afrobeats superstar Davido, describing him as a father figure and a trusted adviser whose counsel has significantly shaped his political and personal decisions.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's Sunday Politics on August 16, 2026, Adeleke revealed the profound influence his elder brother has had on his life, especially following the death of their father. "I miss my dad big time. But when I see him, I see my dad. So, he is like a father figure to me," Adeleke said, explaining that his brother's presence provides a comforting reminder of their late father. He described Adedeji as more than just a sibling, noting that he has naturally stepped into a paternal role.
The governor admitted that he relies heavily on his brother's judgment, particularly in business and governance, crediting him with a wisdom that he believes is divinely gifted. "How much do I listen to him? A lot, because God has really blessed him with wisdom," Adeleke stated.
Adeleke candidly recounted how his relationship with his brother evolved over the years. He revealed that while they were involved in business together, he often disregarded his elder brother's advice, a decision that frequently led to failure. "I would say, 'Can we do this business?' He would say, 'Let me take a look at it,' and he would tell me, 'This one is not going to work.' I would go ahead and do it, and it would not work," the governor recalled.
He admitted that his initial stubbornness cost him dearly, but eventually, he came to appreciate his brother's business acumen and began to treat him as a formal adviser. "I was a bit stubborn. So, after some time, I said, 'Wait a minute. I think I need to listen to my big brother,'" he said. "I started studying him. And as I got older, I would call him my adviser with a portfolio," he added, even describing him jokingly as his "adviser without portfolio."
Beyond the bond between the two brothers, Adeleke spoke warmly about the broader Adeleke family structure, describing his elder sister as a mother figure who is loving but highly disciplined. He attributed the family's closeness to the values instilled by their parents, noting that their father was a highly educated, well-travelled, and civilised politician who served as a senator during Nigeria's Second Republic.
Addressing critics who label the Adeleke family a political dynasty, the governor pushed back, arguing that their prominence is a creation of the people rather than an imposition. "I'm not the one that made it. It's the people that watch us. They watch us, not me. This is democracy. Can we force them?" he asked. He acknowledged that the family's close-knit nature has earned them public admiration and that his siblings played a significant role in his political victories.
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