Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo was mocked by residents as he left Osun State at 2:06 AM on August 16, 2026, hours before Governor Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner of the Osun State governorship election. A viral video captured the moment a fleet of SUVs and patrol vehicles drove off while residents, speaking in Yoruba, jeered at the occupants, including Okpebholo.
Background to the Mockery
The jeers were directed at Okpebholo, who had traded words with Governor Adeleke and his musician nephew Davido ahead of the election. During the campaign, Okpebholo, while supporting the APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, urged Osun residents to vote out Adeleke, claiming he had spent the past four years dancing. Adeleke, known as the “dancing governor” for his dance moves, responded by mocking Okpebholo’s intelligence. Davido also joined in by posting Okpebholo’s WAEC result on Instagram, which showed several Es and Ds.
Election Results and Reactions
The 2026 Osun State gubernatorial election, held on August 15, 2026, saw Adeleke of the Accord Party secure 511,067 votes, defeating APC’s Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes, and ADC’s Najeem Salaan, who received 17,180 votes. The returning officer, Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, declared Adeleke the winner in the early hours of August 16, 2026. The election drew national attention ahead of the 2027 general elections, with 22 APC governors and other party leaders present in Osun State to support their candidate.
Security Concerns and Aftermath
During the election, incidents of voter intimidation and ballot snatching were reported, prompting Adeleke to post on X, calling on President Tinubu and security forces to defend democracy. The tense campaign and Okpebholo’s strong stance against Adeleke likely contributed to his decision to leave the state in the dead of the night, as it became clear that the APC candidate had lost. The video of his departure has since gone viral, with social media users commenting on the residents’ reaction.
