By Osogbo, Osun State
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) staged its final campaign rally in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Monday, as party leaders, coalition partners and a delegation of political associates rallied behind governorship candidate Dr Najeem Folasayo Salaam, popularly known as “Iwaloye,” ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The event, held at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, marked the climax of the ADC’s campaign in the state and drew thousands of supporters who gathered hours ahead of the arrival of the party’s national leadership.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential aspirant described the mood at the rally as one of determination and appeal to the electorate.
“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,” AA said.
National Leaders Storm Osogbo
The rally attracted prominent figures from the ADC’s national structure. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, and former Senate President David Mark, the ADC’s National Leader, both travelled to Osun State to join the campaign’s closing event, alongside former Osun governor and ADC National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Ahead of the leaders’ arrival, supporters drawn from across the state’s 30 local government areas filled the park with party flags and banners, while youth groups and women’s wings kept the atmosphere charged with chants and solidarity songs.
The rally forms part of a broader mobilisation effort coordinated by the party’s 73-member national campaign council, chaired by former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal, with former Imo governor Emeka Ihedioha and Buba Marwa serving as co-chairmen, and led overall by former Cross River governor Liyel Imoke.
A Tight Three-Way Race
Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, is one of the leading contenders in Saturday’s election, alongside incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Fourteen candidates are on the ballot in total, but the contest has narrowed to a three-way battle between Salaam, Adeleke and Oyebamiji.
The Accord Party and the APC are set to hold their own final rallies later in the week, on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, following an agreement brokered by the Osun State Police Command to stagger the dates in the interest of a peaceful electoral process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is scheduled to conduct the governorship election on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
