Atiku Storms Osogbo, Rallies Support for ADC’s Salaam Ahead of Osun Governorship Election
ISSN: 2354-4481
By Ibeh Osborne Onyekach
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, on Monday arrived in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, to rally support for the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Atiku arrived in the state alongside a delegation of political associates and senior ADC leaders for the party’s grand finale campaign rally in support of Salaam, popularly known as Iwaloye.
The visit came as political parties intensified their final mobilisation efforts ahead of the August 15 governorship poll, with the ADC seeking to position Salaam as a major alternative to the leading contenders in the race.
Speaking on the purpose of his visit, Atiku said he was in Osun to rally support for the ADC candidate and make a final appeal to voters to entrust the party with the responsibility of providing purposeful leadership and good governance.
“We are here to rally support for our candidate and make a final appeal to the people of Osun State to entrust the ADC with the responsibility of delivering purposeful leadership, good governance and a better future for all,” Atiku said.
At the campaign rally in Osogbo, Atiku urged residents to vote for the ADC, describing the party as different from other political platforms in the state.
He said the ADC had attracted what he described as “the best of Nigerians” and expressed confidence that voters would not regret supporting the party at the poll.
“I have come today to appeal to you to vote for the ADC,” Atiku said, according to reports from the rally.
The former vice president also thanked ADC supporters for their turnout, saying the mobilisation had strengthened the party’s confidence ahead of the election.
Aregbesola, ADC Leaders Rally Support
The campaign finale also brought together prominent ADC figures, including the party’s National Secretary and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, and National Chairman David Mark.
Aregbesola, who addressed supporters at the rally, dismissed reports that the ADC had entered into an electoral alliance with another political party ahead of Saturday’s election.
He said the party was contesting the election independently after campaigning across the state and expressed confidence that the ADC would emerge victorious.
The presence of Aregbesola at the rally is particularly significant given his political history in Osun and his influence within the state. His mobilisation for Salaam represents an important component of the ADC’s strategy to consolidate support across the state.
Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, is contesting the governorship election on the platform of the ADC. His campaign has presented him as a credible alternative, with emphasis on infrastructure, healthcare, security, economic development and inclusive governance.
The ADC has conducted campaigns across several parts of Osun, including Obokun/Oriade, Odo-Otin and Ifelodun, as it seeks to build grassroots support ahead of the election.
The August 15 election is expected to be closely contested, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and ADC’s Salaam identified among the major contenders. INEC’s final list contains candidates from several political parties contesting the governorship seat.
Reactions and Political Stakes
The ADC leadership described the Osogbo rally as a final push to consolidate its support before the electorate heads to the polls.
Atiku’s intervention has also elevated the national profile of the Osun contest, coming as the ADC builds its political structure ahead of the 2027 general election.
For Salaam and his supporters, the appearance of Atiku, Aregbesola, David Mark and other national figures provides a major boost to the party’s campaign at a crucial stage of the race.
Aregbesola’s declaration that the ADC is going into the election independently also seeks to counter speculation over possible alliances or strategic arrangements involving the party.
With campaigns now entering their final hours, the focus is expected to shift from rallies and political promises to voter mobilisation, election-day preparedness and the ability of each candidate to convert campaign support into actual votes on August 15.
The people of Osun State will ultimately determine whether the ADC’s message of a “new direction” under Salaam can translate into victory at the polls.
