Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged voters in Osun State to support African Democratic Congress governorship candidate Najeem Salaam in Saturday’s election, declaring that the “best of Nigerians” are now in the party.
Atiku made the appeal on Monday at the ADC grand finale campaign rally in Osogbo, where he invoked his previous electoral support in the state and urged residents to back Salaam at the August 15 governorship poll.
Addressing a large gathering of party supporters, Atiku recalled his previous visits to Osun and claimed that residents had consistently supported him during his presidential campaigns.
He also recalled his support for Governor Ademola Adeleke during the 2022 governorship election, before asking voters to repeat that support for the ADC.
“This is the fourth time I am standing on this podium. Each time I stood here, you have given me your vote,” Atiku said.
He urged voters to distinguish the ADC from the APC, Accord and other political parties, arguing that the party had attracted prominent political figures and represented a different political direction.
“That is because the best of Nigerians are today in ADC,” he said.
Atiku thanked Osun voters for their previous support and expressed confidence that the turnout at the rally would translate into victory for Salaam.
The ADC National Chairman, David Mark, also urged party members to turn out on election day and protect their votes.
Mark described the campaign finale as a celebration of what he predicted would be the party’s victory, saying he expected Salaam to be sworn in as governor in November.
“On Saturday, protect your votes. Don’t allow anybody to rig you out,” he told supporters.
Salaam used the rally to outline some of the policies he would pursue if elected.
The ADC candidate promised to tackle electricity challenges and provide regular power supply across the state.
He also promised free primary and secondary education, while pledging to establish a committee to review tuition fees in tertiary institutions with a view to reducing the financial burden on students and their families.
Salaam further promised free medical treatment for children between the ages of one and 18, free healthcare for pregnant women and support for elderly people and widows.
He said his administration would employ 20,000 youths within its first 100 days and introduce measures to empower farmers and expand agricultural production.
ADC National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola said the party was not in an alliance with any political party for the Osun governorship election.
He urged voters to support the ADC and said Salaam’s agenda included reviving the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, O’YES, restoring the O’MEALS school feeding programme, expanding mechanised agriculture and investing in rural infrastructure and technology.
Aregbesola described Salaam as the face of continuity and said the election was ultimately about the future of Osun, including education, youth employment, agriculture and effective governance.
The campaign was attended by several ADC leaders, including former Senate President David Mark, former Minister of Police Affairs Adamu Waziri, former Ondo PDP governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi and former Borno PDP governorship candidate Kashim Imam.
The August 15 election is shaping up as a closely watched contest, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking another term on the Accord platform and Bola Oyebamiji contesting for the All Progressives Congress.
For Salaam and the ADC, Atiku’s appearance at the final rally represents an effort to convert the party’s growing national profile into electoral support in Osun.
The final test, however, will come on Saturday when voters decide whether the ADC’s message and campaign promises are enough to dislodge the established political forces competing for control of the state.
