Political Heavyweights Atiku, Mark, Aregbesola Back ADC Candidate

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) held a grand rally at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo, Osun State, ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The event saw prominent party figures, including former Vice President and presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, national chairman Senator David Mark, national secretary Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the gubernatorial candidate Dr. Najeem Salam, making strong appeals to voters.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar directly addressed Osun voters, urging them to support the ADC, which he declared represents "the best of Nigerians." He underscored his enduring political relationship with the people of Osun, noting their consistent support in his past campaigns. Atiku specifically recalled campaigning successfully for the current governor, Ademola Adeleke, and for his own presidential bid, where Osun voters helped defeat Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Expressing gratitude, Atiku stated, "This is the fourth time I am standing on this podium. Each time I stood here, you have given me your vote. I cannot forget that because your daughter is in my house." He emphasized that his presence was to thank them for past support and to seek their votes once more, asserting that the ADC stands apart from other political parties like APC and Accord. The impressive turnout at the rally filled Atiku with optimism for an ADC victory in the upcoming election.

Senator David Mark, the national chairman of the ADC, echoed the sentiment of impending triumph. He stated that the gathering was a celebration of the party's anticipated success in the poll. Mark rallied voters to participate en masse on the election day and, crucially, to safeguard their votes, issuing a stern warning against any attempts to rig the election, assuring that perpetrators would not escape justice. He expressed confidence that after the swearing-in of Najeem Salam in November, party members would march with him to the government house.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Governor of Osun State and current National Secretary of the ADC, articulated the party's deep commitment to the welfare of its citizens. He posited that governance should revolve around service, creating opportunities, and restoring public trust in leadership. Aregbesola proudly declared the ADC as the true inheritors of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive legacy, which champions free education, quality healthcare, and comprehensive social welfare programs. He recalled the impactful initiatives introduced during his own administration from 2010 to 2018, such as O-AMBULANCE for emergency response, O’YES for youth empowerment, O’MEALS for school feeding, and O’REAP for agricultural development, all designed to prioritize the people. Aregbesola pledged that the ADC governorship candidate, Dr. Najeem Salam, would resurrect and expand these highly praised social intervention schemes that had been abandoned by subsequent governments. He stressed the importance of continuity in good governance, asserting that beneficial programs should not be discarded due to political differences. Addressing infrastructure, Aregbesola highlighted the critical role of rural roads in connecting communities to markets, schools, and opportunities, promising that an ADC government would prioritize rural electrification, mechanised agriculture, and innovation hubs to foster job creation and productivity. He presented Salam as the embodiment of continuity, urging the electorate to choose him to lead the state towards a future focused on quality education, youth opportunities, farmer prosperity, and a truly responsive government.

Receiving the party flag, Dr. Najeem Salam, the ADC gubernatorial candidate, pledged to make the wellbeing of the Osun people his government's paramount concern. He assured improvements across all sectors and reiterated the party's firm stance against any form of election rigging, declaring that "What they did in Ekiti State will not happen here." Salam outlined several specific promises: creating jobs for 20,000 youths within his first 100 days in office, ensuring stable electricity through a committed solution, providing free education from primary to secondary levels, reviewing and reducing tuition fees in higher institutions, offering free medical treatment for children aged 1 to 18 in well-equipped government hospitals, providing free treatment for pregnant women, and instituting care for elders and widows.

The rally served as a powerful platform for the ADC to present its vision and commitment to the people of Osun, drawing on its history of support, promises of continuity, and a detailed agenda for development and social welfare ahead of the crucial governorship election.