“Protect your votes. Don’t allow anybody to rig you out,” ADC National Chairman David Mark told supporters yesterday in Osogbo, as political parties intensified last-minute campaigns ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The ADC held its final rally at Nelson Mandela Park to canvass support for its candidate, former Speaker Najeem Salam. Leading the rally were Mark, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor of the state.
Mark said the gathering was to “celebrate the victory that will come to the ADC on Saturday,” and promised that by November they would march with Salam to the Government House.
Atiku recalled his long relationship with Osun, noting his wife Titi hails from Ilesa. He thanked voters for supporting him and Governor Ademola Adeleke in past elections, and said ADC offers a credible alternative. “The best of Nigerians today are in ADC,” he said, expressing optimism that the large turnout signalled victory.
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Aregbesola said ADC was committed to welfare and would revive programmes like O’MEALS school feeding, O’YES youth empowerment, O’REAP agriculture and O-AMBULANCE. He described Salam as the face of continuity. Salam promised 20,000 jobs for youths in his first 100 days and stable electricity.
The APC also ramped up outreach. A team led by the candidate’s wife, Dr. Sekinat Oyebamiji, visited major markets in Osogbo to engage women. The party is buoyed by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s Sunday endorsement of its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, with Oyinlola calling for “a new direction.”
The Accord Party’s campaign council urged INEC to review logistics. Governor Adeleke’s wife, Titilola, led a separate rally demanding a free and fair poll.
INEC says 2.3 million voters are registered for the election across 30 LGAs and Modakeke Area Council.
