- Safiu Kehinde
The African Democratic Congress candidate for the 2026 Osun Governorship Election, Najeem Salaam, has reaffirmed the fulfilment of his campaign promises, particularly his pledge to employ 20,000 youths in his first 100 days in office.
Salaam maintained that the campaign promises, which also include provision of 24 hours electricity supply and free education for primary and secondary school students, are doable.
The ADC candidate made this known while speaking at the Town Hall meeting hosted by Arise TV in Osogbo on Tuesday.
On the employment of 20,000 youths, Salaam said the recruitment target was achievable based on his experience in government, stressing that he will adopt the template of former Osun governor and current ADC National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
“But 20,000 is doable. I’ve been under the government of Aregbesola and we know how we did it then. So, it is not a difficult task.“
He explained that the proposed recruitment would not be restricted to a particular profession, but would cover different categories of workers, including teachers and others.
“It will be under different sectors. I did not even call it OES.
“I said I’m going to engage 20,000 youth in the first 100 days. It can be of different fit. It can be teachers, it can be this and that. I’m not talking to a particular thing.” He said.
Speaking on his 24-hour electricity supply promise, Salaam said this is also achievable as the state now has the legal framework to develop its own electricity system.
“You see, in the states, in the country that we are today, there is what we call electricity act that was passed in 2023, and that has enabled the state government to go their own way and provide energy, electricity for their people.” He said
Salaam also maintained that his promises of free education from primary through secondary school and reduced tuition fees for students in the state’s tertiary institutions are achievable with the current status of revenue generated and allocated to Osun.
According to him, Osun is currently receiving an estimate of N13 billion from the Federal Government allocation with an average Internally Generated Revenue of N4 billion which in total sees the state earning N17 billion every month.
“Because the IGR presently that has been generated in the state, 13 billion on a monthly basis on average, 4 billion IGR are coming to the state on average, 17 billion on a monthly basis.” He said.
This, he maintained, will cover the expenses of the free education programme which he pegged at N20 billion annually.
He argued that the investment would give children from less privileged families access to education.
“Everything about governance requires financing. Let me tell you that what we have now, as even the allocation that is coming from the federal, if you prioritize your programmes and activities, and you know the direction you want to go.”
“I have done my statistics before going to this, and I have seen that for education, in a year, it will cost us not less than 20 billion.” Salaam said.
Salaam maintained that his personal experience of benefiting from free education had influenced his decision to make education a major part of his manifesto.
“I happen to be one of the beneficiaries of free education when the late Bola Ege was the governor of the state. I question myself, why is it difficult to give the same quality of free education to our people, the people that are coming behind us?” He asked
The ADC candidate also promised that his administration would also provide free medical services for children and senior citizens. “We give them free medical services.”
On elderly citizens, Salam said those who had served society deserved greater government support, I thought of it, and I think the best way to go is to take care of the aged that we call the senior citizens by giving them free medical services as well.”
Salaam also pledged to set aside N1 billion within his first year in office to support women-owned businesses. “I said the first year, within the first year, one billion.”
Meanwhile, when asked on reason behind his decision to contest, the ADC candidate maintained that he joined the race to build on the achievements of past government.
‘I’m contesting to build on the achievement of the past government that did it well and correct the challenges we have today.
‘I’m going in to fill in the gap that are necessary to correct and give the people the government that belongs to them, a people-centred government.
‘I read political science up to my PhD level and the experience that have gathered over the years in governance, I think I’m qualified to be the governor.’ He said.
Though he refused to trade blame games, Salaam however described himself as the peace Osun people needs considering the political unrest and violence that has spread across the state.
He maintained that the ADC is the only party that has been peaceful in its conduct of its political campaigns.
The peace, according to him, is what Osun people need.
‘ADC has been the only party that has been contesting with out any crisis and the people of Osun state said they don’t want crisis. Vote for ADC and you will have the peace.
‘You will never see me criticising. Election is not a warfront.
‘I can bet it with you that Osun is full of thuggery. Because people see us as most peaceful party, that is why I’m confident.
‘They know that the only party and only candidate that can give them peace in Osun is Najeem Salaam.’ He said.