By John Dike, Osogbo
With just five days to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday intensified its campaign to take over the state as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, led thousands of supporters at a massive grand rally in Osogbo.
The rally transformed the ancient city into a sea of ADC colours as party faithful from the 30 local government areas and the Modakeke Area Office thronged the venue hours before the arrival of the national leaders.
Supporters, clad in the party’s colours and waving banners bearing the image of the governorship candidate, Senator Najeem Folasayo Salaam, sang solidarity songs, danced to traditional music and chanted slogans in anticipation of the party’s final push before Saturday’s poll.
The gathering also drew prominent opposition coalition leaders, including former Edo State Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye and members of the ADC National Working Committee.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, while addressing the rally, recalled his long-standing relationship with the people of Osun State.
“This is the fourth time I am standing on this podium,” he said.
“I cannot forget Osun because your daughter is in my house.”
He thanked the people of the state for their support in previous elections and appealed to them to support Senator Salaam on Saturday.
“I am here personally to appeal to you to vote for the African Democratic Congress because some of the best Nigerians are in this party.
“I appreciate this massive turnout. Looking at this crowd, I am convinced that you are ready for victory.”
Atiku described Salaam as a competent and experienced politician capable of providing effective leadership for Osun State.
He urged party members to remain united before, during and after the election.
“The strength of every political party lies in unity. If we remain united, nobody can stop us.”
Addressing the crowd, ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, Senator David Mark, expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the governorship election.
“We are going to celebrate after the election,” Mark declared to loud cheers.
“I have no doubt that by the grace of God, Senator Najeem Salaam will emerge victorious. The crowd here today is a clear indication that the people of Osun are ready for a new government.”
Mark also commended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for personally attending the rally despite his engagements, describing the visit as evidence of the importance the party attaches to the Osun governorship election.
“I want to specially appreciate His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for honouring this rally. He is the only former presidential candidate who came personally to campaign for a governorship candidate. That tells you how important this election is to all of us.”
One of the highlights of the rally was the formal presentation of the ADC flag to Senator Najeem Folasayo Salaam and his running mate by Atiku Abubakar.
The symbolic presentation sparked wild jubilation among party supporters, who erupted into chants of the candidate’s name.
Receiving the flag, Salaam promised to provide purposeful leadership if elected governor.
He said his administration would prioritise education, youth development, women’s empowerment, agriculture, healthcare and job creation.
“We are presenting ourselves because Osun deserves better. Our administration will invest heavily in education, empower women and widows, create employment opportunities for our youths and improve the standard of living of our people,” he said.
The former senator also cautioned against vote buying, urging voters not to allow financial inducements to determine their choice.
Referring to the recent governorship election in neighbouring Ekiti State, Salaam urged voters to vote according to their conscience.
“What happened in Ekiti should never happen in Osun,” he said.
“If anybody gives you money, collect it if you want because it is your money, but when you get to the polling unit, vote according to your conscience. Vote for the African Democratic Congress.”
He further urged party supporters to remain peacefully at their polling units after voting.
“Do not leave immediately after casting your vote. Stay there peacefully until the votes are counted and the results announced. Defend your votes through lawful means.”
Earlier, the Osun State Chairman of the ADC, Alhaji Isah Adesiji Azeez, dismissed speculation that the party intended to step down for any other political platform.
“I want to announce that we are not stepping down for any political party. We are not entering into any alliance. We shall contest this election independently and, by the grace of God, we shall win.”
According to him, the ADC possesses the grassroots support, experienced leadership and political structure needed to defeat both the ruling party and other opposition parties.
“We thank Almighty God for bringing all of us together today. Senator Najeem Salaam will become the next Governor of Osun State.
“Nobody can intimidate us. We have done it before. In 2014, we were not the ruling party, yet we won. By God’s grace, history will repeat itself.”
Azeez paid glowing tribute to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, describing him as a visionary leader whose developmental projects remain visible across the state.
“The legacies of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola are still speaking for him across Osun State.”
He urged supporters to remain vigilant throughout the electoral process.
“Our party is number four on the ballot paper. Vote for ADC, remain peacefully at your polling units and ensure that every lawful vote counts.”
Former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, now the National Secretary of the ADC, also received a rousing welcome from supporters, who chanted songs celebrating his years in office. His presence further energised party faithful ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, the ADC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Adegboyega Taofeek, alleged that there were plans by unnamed persons to manipulate the Osun governorship election.
According to him, about 30 persons were allegedly recruited and taken to Ibadan for training.
He further claimed, without providing evidence, that he received information from what he described as a reliable source that some of the individuals were trained by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ad hoc staff with the intention of voiding votes.
“They recruited about 30 people and brought them to Ibadan for training. I learnt from a reliable source that INEC trained them as ad hoc staff and their assignment is to void votes,” he alleged.
Taofeek said he had informed Senator Najeem Salaam of the allegation and urged party supporters to remain vigilant throughout the election.
“I have drawn the attention of Senator Najeem Salaam to the information. I appeal to all our supporters to remain vigilant and protect their votes peacefully.”
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not responded to the allegation.
Monday’s rally was widely regarded as one of the largest political gatherings organised by the ADC since campaigns for the governorship election commenced, underscoring the party’s determination to challenge the dominance of the major political parties and present itself as a credible alternative in Saturday’s poll.
Among those at the rally were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark; National Secretary of the party and former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former Edo State Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; former Senator Dino Melaye; members of the ADC National Working Committee; traditional leaders; youth and women groups; and thousands of supporters from across Osun State.
