———-Urge voters to reject APC
———-Najeem Salam promises 20,000 jobs, free education
Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Monday stormed Osogbo to campaign for the governorship candidate of the party, Dr. Najeem Salam, ahead of Saturday’s election.
Speaking to a massive crowd at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park during the ADC grand rally, Atiku declared that the party represents the finest crop of Nigerians and deserves the mandate of the electorate.
Recalling his enduring political bond with Osun, Atiku noted that the electorate has consistently stood by him and his political allies through past electoral cycles.
“This is the fourth time I am standing on this podium, and each time I stood here, you have given me your vote. I cannot forget that, especially because your daughter is in my house.
“I came here for the current governor and asked you to support him, and you voted for him. I came here for my presidential campaign; you voted for me and delivered the state to me. I have come today to appeal to you again to vote for the ADC because it is different from the APC and other parties. The best of Nigerians today are in the ADC,” Atiku said.
The National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence in the party’s impending victory, urging voters to turn out en masse and fiercely protect their ballots on Saturday.
“What we are here to do is celebrate the victory that is coming to the ADC on Saturday. By the time we swear in Najeem Salam in November, we will be here again to march with you to the Government House. On Saturday, protect your votes. Don’t allow anybody to rig you out; they will not rig and get away with it,” Mark added.
The immediate-past Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, emphasized that governance must center on service, opportunity, and welfare. He positioned the ADC as the true torchbearer of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive ideals, championing free education, qualitative healthcare, and social welfare.
Aregbesola pledged that an ADC administration would restore the developmental programs initiated during his tenure (2010–2018), including school feeding programs and expanded social intervention schemes.
After receiving the party’s flag, the ADC governorship candidate, Dr. Najeem Salam, outlined an ambitious governance agenda, promising robust interventions across key sectors and warning against electoral malpractice.
“On Saturday, nobody will be allowed to rig us out. If we win the election, our electricity will be stable, we have a concrete solution to that. Education from primary to secondary school will be completely free, and we will set up a committee to slash tuition fees in our higher institutions.
“Children from ages 1 to 18, pregnant women, our elders, and widows will have access to free medical treatment in well-equipped hospitals. Furthermore, we promise to create jobs for 20,000 youths within our first 100 days in office,” Salam said.
