Osun 2026: ADC picks Salam to square off against Adeleke, Oyebamiji

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The shape of the battle for Osun 2026 governorship election became further manifest on Monday with the emergence of former Speaker Najeem Salaam as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Salaam who has been speculated to be the favoured candidate of former minister and National Secretary of ADC, Rauf Aregbesola clinched the governorship ticket after polling 520 votes at the governorship primary election held on Monday in Osogbo, the state capital.

The primary was presided over by Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba

While announcing the result, Nwajiuba said 535 delegates made up of 482 delegates from Osun State local government areas and wards, as well as 53 special delegates were expected to participate in the exercise.

But he said 528 delegates were accredited and they all voted.

He added that eight votes were declared invalid, while the remaining 520 valid votes were for Salaam when the ballots were counted.

“The total number of votes scored by aspirant Najeem Folasayo Salaam is 520 votes,” Nwajiuba announced.

“By the powers conferred on this panel by the constitution of the African Democratic Congress, I hereby declare Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam as the candidate-elect and flagbearer of the ADC for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.”

Salaam is expected to square off against the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke and the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Oyebamiji who are expected to be the leading contenders in the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Adeleke will seek re-election on the platform of the Accord Party having dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on whose platform he was elected into office for the first term.

Recall that some of the associates of Aregbesola, also a former governor of Osun State, had dumped the ADC some weeks ago after they got indications that Salaam has been anointed as the ADC candidate for the 2026 governorship election.