Osun Election: ADC Will Win If Poll Is Free, Fair — Bolaji Abdullahi

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed confidence that its candidate, Najeem Salaam, will win Saturday’s Osun State governorship election if the poll is conducted freely and fairly.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this after visiting Osogbo, where he said he witnessed significant grassroots support for the ADC ahead of the election.

Abdullahi said his initial concerns about the party’s chances were dispelled by what he saw during the visit, insisting that the ADC was capable of defeating its major rivals.

“I was part of the team that visited Osogbo three days ago. Before we went to Osogbo, I had my concerns about whether we were truly in a position to challenge for power in Osun State in this weekend’s election.

“But with what I saw on the ground in Osogbo, I am confident—I remain confident, and my confidence was boosted—that if this is going to be a free and fair election, ADC will win this election,” he said.

However, the ADC spokesman raised concerns over what he described as the “militarisation” of Osun State ahead of the election.

He said the deployment of military personnel and other armed security operatives had created concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.

“My concern is whether it will be a free and fair election, because what I also saw is the militarisation of the Osun political space in a way that I have not seen in my entire adult life.

“When you go to Osun State, you will think that that part of the country is at war, because I saw mobilisation of military men, armed men, and you would wonder what is going on here,” Abdullahi said.

He added that the level of mobilisation by the Federal Government ahead of the election was “scary” and could undermine confidence in the process.

Salaam’s English Not An Election Issue

Abdullahi also dismissed concerns that ADC candidate Najeem Salaam’s performance at the Arise News town hall could hurt his electoral chances.

According to him, voters are more interested in a candidate’s ability to address their needs than in their command of the English language.

He said Salaam had clearly communicated his plans for pensioners, job creation and other issues affecting residents when he spoke in Yoruba.

“The people of Osun State will not vote for him because he is able to speak a certain kind of English language. They will vote for him because he is able to speak to the needs that they have,” he said.

Abdullahi also argued that the ADC’s previous electoral performances should not be used as the sole measure of its strength ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that off-cycle elections have their own peculiarities.

Abdullahi Accuses Tinubu of Creating Dangerous Political Atmosphere

Reacting to President Bola Tinubu’s reported comment that “all is fair in politics,” Abdullahi criticised the statement, arguing that it could be interpreted by political actors as permission to employ extreme measures to secure electoral victory.

He said the President’s remarks could influence those around him to justify actions that would otherwise be considered unacceptable.

“I don’t want to blame Senator Fadahunsi. I blame President Bola Tinubu. He got his imprimatur for what he said from President Bola Tinubu,” Abdullahi said.

He also claimed that he had received intelligence indicating that former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, could be arrested before the election.

“I received intelligence that they are planning to arrest Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola before Saturday’s election. Who does that? We see the country is not at war. It’s just an election, one state election,” he alleged.

ADC Confident of Defeating Tinubu in 2027

Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, Abdullahi said the ADC was convinced it could defeat President Tinubu, arguing that widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians could translate into electoral change.

He acknowledged that a broad opposition coalition presenting a single presidential candidate would make the task easier, but insisted that the absence of such an alliance would not make victory impossible.

“We, as African Democratic Congress, are convinced we will win the 2027 election,” he said.

According to him, the coalition-building effort was designed to bring opposition forces together and make it easier to challenge the ruling party.

He said the ADC had conducted internal polls which, according to him, strengthened the party’s belief that Tinubu could lose the 2027 election.

Abdullahi attributed the alleged decline in support for the President to economic hardship and worsening poverty, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria.

He also questioned claims that the economy was improving, arguing that economic indicators would mean little to Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities.

Abdullahi Questions ICPC Report

The ADC spokesman also criticised the interim report of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

Abdullahi argued that the report failed to adequately establish how the controversial council was created and operated, accusing the Federal Government of focusing on exonerating senior officials rather than determining who was responsible.

“The report did not tell us what happened. The report only told us who are not responsible,” he said.

He called for a more comprehensive investigation, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the creation and operation of the council required further scrutiny.