Osun 2026: Prayers, not financial strength, secured Adeleke’s victory – Elder brother Deji + Video

Governor Ademola Adeleke’s elder brother, Dr Deji Adeleke, has said fervent prayers, rather than superior financial strength, secured the family’s victory over the immediate past governor, Gboyega Oyetola, in the August 2026 Osun State governorship election.

Adeleke, the incumbent governor, won the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election and was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, August 16.

He contested on the Accord Party platform and polled 511,067 votes.

His closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, scored 444,815 votes, giving Adeleke a winning margin of 66,252 votes.

Najeem Salaam of the ADC came third with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke reportedly won 19 of the state’s 30 LGAs, while Oyebamiji won 11.

The election featured 15 candidates, although the contest largely centred on Adeleke and Oyebamiji.

In a video recorded at Adeleke’s victory celebration on Sunday night, Dr. Deji emphasized that the family did not secure the win because they spent more money or were bigger than their rivals, attributing the success strictly to their faith in God.

“The only reason why we defeated Oyetola is not because we are bigger, or we spend more money than him”

He said that despite reports that the opposition allegedly spent as much as N60bn during the election, with vote buying reportedly going for as high as N50,000 in some areas, the outcome of the poll was ultimately determined by divine intervention rather than money.

“On election, they did not spend any money. (0:20) They spent 60 billion as we heard. Some places they bought votes for as high as 50,000 Naira for one single vote.”

According to him, on the day of the election, upon learning of the scale of the alleged spending by the opposition, he retreated to his room to pray, asking God to allow voters to collect the money being offered but still cast their votes in favour of Ademola Adeleke.

“On the day of the election, when I heard the kind of money they were spending, I went back to my little corner in my room and I knelt down and I prayed to God.

“I said, God Almighty, please let people collect their money, but let them still vote for Ademola Adeleke.”

The billionaire businessman explained that he had, before the election, maintained a consistent routine of prayer, during which he read specific Bible passages, including a portion of the Book of Isaiah, chapter 41, which he described as forming part of his daily spiritual practice and testimony.

“I don’t discuss with anybody. I do it in the corner of my room. I do this every day. So, I was not worried. I had no doubt in my mind that Ademola will win. Ademola will overcome,” he said.

“I fortify myself with the power of the Almighty God every day. And the day that I fast, I’ll do it three times a day. And nobody knew. I don’t discuss with anybody,” the businessman added.

Speaking on the opposition, Deji said, “Let them come with all the battalions, withdraw the Army, bring all the money from the Central Bank. Nobody is above God Almighty.”

He added, “He comes with his wickedness. He comes with the power that he thinks he has because he’s connected to the Presidency.

“But Ademola comes against them in the power of the Almighty God.”

Deji also said he had prayed for the governor’s protection and victory, adding, “He dances and praises your name. So, Lord Almighty, God, the owner of the universe, show up for him.”