Muhammad Dele Belgore (born 25 June 1961) is a Nigerian lawyer, politician, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in the 2011 Kwara State gubernatorial election, where he was defeated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Abdulfatah Ahmed. A native of Ilorin, Kwara State, Belgore is recognized for his contributions to alternative dispute resolution in Nigeria and his role as a co-founder of the law firm Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe, and Belgore.
Early Life and Education
Muhammad Dele Belgore was born on 25 June 1961 in Ilorin, Kwara State, to Lt. Justice Mahmud Babatunde Belgore, a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, and Alhaja Maryam Alarape Belgore, a British-trained nurse and oil merchant. He pursued legal studies and was called to the Nigerian Bar after attending the Nigerian Law School in 1985.
Career
Belgore is a prominent legal practitioner and one of the pioneers of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Nigeria. He earned the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), recognizing his distinguished contributions to the legal profession. Belgore co-founded the law firm Sofunde, Osakwe, Ogundipe, and Belgore, a notable legal practice in Nigeria.
Political Career
Belgore entered politics as the flagbearer for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the 2011 Kwara State gubernatorial election. Despite a competitive campaign, he lost to Abdulfatah Ahmed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who became the governor of Kwara State.
In 2013, Belgore defected to the PDP and contested the party's gubernatorial primaries in 2014 but was unsuccessful. He later returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the successor to the ACN, following the merger of opposition parties. In 2018, Belgore declined an appointment to the APC's governing council. In 2019, he withdrew his candidacy from the APC gubernatorial primaries and endorsed Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, who went on to win the governorship.
Personal Life
Belgore hails from Ilorin, Kwara State, and is part of a prominent Nigerian family with a legacy in law and public service. His father, Lt. Justice Mahmud Babatunde Belgore, was a respected jurist, and his mother, Alhaja Maryam Alarape Belgore, was a notable figure in nursing and business.
References
- Relevant sources documenting Belgore’s career, elections, and contributions, such as news articles, official biographies, or legal publications.
- Nigerian Law School records (1985).
- Election results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2011 and 2014 Kwara State gubernatorial elections.
- Announcements of political affiliations and party activities from credible Nigerian news outlets.