By Alhaji Arems (Baba Fuji)
King Saheed Osupa may have just added another name to an increasingly interesting political scorecard.
On Saturday, Ademola Adeleke won re-election as Governor of Osun State, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji to secure another four years in office. And before the votes were counted, Osupa had already made his position clear, publicly backing Adeleke and lending his voice to the governor’s re-election campaign.
One victory proves nothing. But the pattern is becoming difficult to overlook.
Osupa previously backed Seyi Makinde in Oyo State. Makinde won in 2019 and returned to office again in 2023, with Osupa featuring prominently around both campaigns.
Now Adeleke has joined the list.
It would be a stretch to suggest that Osupa’s endorsement wins elections. Nigerian politics is far more complicated than that. But there is something undeniably valuable about having one of Yoruba music’s most recognisable voices campaigning for you.
Osupa does not communicate politics like a conventional campaigner. He does it through Fuji, Yoruba language, humour, cultural references and a familiarity that reaches audiences in a way political speeches often cannot.
That makes his political endorsements worth watching.
Especially because his next choice is already known.
After falling out with Makinde, Osupa has switched sides and is now backing Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the APC’s candidate for the 2027 Oyo governorship election.
So, while Adeleke’s latest victory has added another intriguing entry to Osupa’s political record, Oyo may provide the real test.
Makinde defeated Penkele.
Sharafa Alli defeated Penkele in the primaries.
Adeleke defeated AMBO.
Three victories for candidates he publicly backed.
Coincidence?
Political instinct?
Cultural influence?
Or does the King of Fuji simply know how to pick a winner?
