- Safiu Kehinde’
Former Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Najeem Salaam, has pledged to deliver the state from what he described as politics of punishment as he emerged as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2026 Governorship Election.
Salaam made the pledge during his acceptance speech after emerging the ADC’s flag bearer at the primary election held on Monday.
He pledged to offer responsible, compassionate and purposeful leadership while accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of eroding public trusts with poor political judgement and internal contradiction.
Recall that the Osun ADC largely comprised of members of the Rauf Aregbesola-led APC faction, Omoluabi Progressives, who followed the former Osun state governor in defecting from the ruling party to the ADC.
Speaking on their defection from the APC, Salaam described their defection an act of conscience as he condemned the ruling party’s withholding of Osun local government allocations over legal disputes.
According to reports, the ADC candidate described it as collective punishment with dire consequences for workers, schools and grassroots governance.
“Osun must move from politics of punishment to politics of purpose. The people of Osun are not asking for miracles. They are asking for competent governance, accountability, and leadership that listens.
“Leaving that structure was not an act of disloyalty; it was an act of conscience,” he declared, stressing that loyalty must be to Osun people, not to “failed systems or empty slogans.”
“This is not leadership. This is not governance,” Salam said, adding that “power without compassion becomes oppression.”
The ADC candidate reiterated that his candidacy was not simply a political moment, but a moral calling, anchored on service, conscience and accountability.
He presented the party as a credible alternative and a new direction based on responsible leadership, transparency, development and unity.
Salaam reportedly pledged that an ADC-led government would prioritise workers’ welfare, revitalise education, empower youths beyond election cycles, strengthen security, promote local enterprise and restore public trust in governance.