By Abiola Olawale
The political landscape in Osun State is officially heating up ahead of the Osun 2026 Governorship Election, following the emergence of Najeem Salaam, a prominent ally of former Governor and Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, as the gubernatorial candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State Assembly, clinched ADC’s gubernatorial ticket on Monday following the party’s primary held at the Ultimate Civic Centre in Osogbo.
Addressing party delegates before the exercise, the Chairman of the ADC 2026 Primary Election Committee, Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, said Salaam was the sole aspirant for the office.
“The list and information from the ADC Organising Secretary’s Office, as well as the screening exercise conducted, indicate that Salaam is the only aspirant vying for the party’s ticket,” he said.
The 528 ADC delegates from across the 332 wards of the state then lined up to cast their votes.
Announcing the results, Nwajiuba said a total of 528 votes were cast, of which 520 were valid votes for Najeem Salaam, while eight were voided.
“By the power conferred on this panel by the constitution of the ADC, I, Emeka Nwajiuba, Chairman of the panel, announce the candidate-elect and flag bearer of our party for the Osun governorship election 2026: Najeem Salaam,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Salaam said: “I accept this mandate as the gubernatorial candidate of the ADC with a deep sense of responsibility.
“I accept it with hope because our people still believe. I accept it with prayer because the challenges ahead are real.”
The New Diplomat reports that Salaam will contest against Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State in the forthcoming 2026 governorship election.
Adeleke had clinched the Accord Party’s governorship ticket.
