Nigerian politician (–)
Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke ((Listenⓘ); 15 January – 23 April ) was a Nigerianpolitician, he was a two time senator who represented Osun West from to under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was elected again under the banner of the All Progressives Congress in [1] He ran for re-election in April on the PDP platform, coming second with 77, votes behind the eventual winner Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussein of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) who polled , votes.[2]
Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke was born on 15 January to the family of senator Ayoola Adeleke and Esther Adeleke.[3] He was born in Enugu State and spent his early years in the city until the beginning of the Nigerian civil war. He started his primary education at Christ Church School, Enugu, before moving to Ibadan.[3] He completed his secondary education at Ogbomoso Grammar School. Adeleke holds a Bachelor Of Arts degree, and a master's degree in public administration. He was chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Pro-chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Calabar, Nigeria.[1][4] He was the uncle to Nigerian musician, Davido.[5]
During the Nigerian third republic, Adeleke ran for governor of the newly created Osun State which was carved out from Oyo State. He was a member of SDP the dominant party in the state. The front runner was a lawyer, Oladipo Oladosu but after a close primary in which Adeleke came second, Adeleke was able to win a runoff.[6] He was then elected the first civilian governor of Osun State in Notable decisions made by Adeleke was the establishment of a polytechnic at Iree, a college of technology at Esa-Oke and the completion of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation. However, in , after the dissolution of the republic, Adeleke pitched its tent to the opposition group, Afenifere but later switched to join a Democratic Party of Nigeria, a new political party with support from close associates of Abacha.[7] In , Adeleke was elected senator for Osun West. His main competitor was Mudasiru Oyetunde Hussein, standing for the Action Congress. Hussein had spent two terms in the House of Representatives (–) as a member of the Alliance for Democracy party in a Lagos State constituency, but originated from Osun state. Hussein appealed the election unsuccessfully.[8] Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke was appointed to committees on Upstream Petroleum Resources, Integration and Cooperation, Housing and Air Force.[1]
In March , he instituted a scholarship award for about indigent students in tertiary institutions across the country.[9]
In July , as chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke praised the work of the Independent National Electoral Commission, saying "so far INEC has performed creditably well".[10] He has supported the rights of Nigerians living abroad to vote in Nigerian elections.[11] Adeleke, before his death was allegedly eyeing the governorship seat in Osun ahead of the election in the state.[12]
In April , Adeleke suffered a heart attack. He died on 23 April at Biket Hospital in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. It was a sad experience for Osun State resident, family and well-wishers.[13]