Osun 2026: Salaam banks on political experience to defeat Adeleke, Oyebamiji

By Lateef Ibrahim

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun State, Najeem Salaam, has expressed confidence that his political experience will give him an edge over the candidates of the Accord Party and All Progressives Congress (APC), Ademola Adeleke and Bola Oyebamiji, respectively.
Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, said he was confident of defeating both major contenders if the August 15 governorship election is conducted on a free, fair and level playing field.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV on Monday, monitored in Abuja, the ADC candidate described Adeleke and Oyebamiji as his political juniors, arguing that his experience in politics would distinguish him from the two candidates irrespective of their party affiliations.
“Politically speaking, they are my juniors in politics. Forget about the party they all belong to. We know people that can really play the game,” Salaam said.
He maintained that the outcome of a credible election would vindicate his confidence, insisting that neither Adeleke nor Oyebamiji could defeat him under a fair electoral process.
“If we have a clean, perfect and level-playing ground, there is no way they can beat me. I can beat my chest to that. Wait for Saturday, you’ll see the result of the election,” he stated.
Salaam also said he had embarked on extensive consultations across communities and local government areas in the state to convince voters of his capacity and vision for governance.
According to him, his grassroots engagement was necessary because many voters had yet to fully appreciate his political experience and what he intends to offer the state.
His confidence comes as the ADC intensifies its campaign ahead of Saturday’s election, with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, urging Osun voters to support Salaam and the party during the campaign’s grand finale on Monday.
Atiku described ADC as a platform that has attracted some of the country’s best political minds, urging voters to cast their ballots for the party and assuring them that they would not regret the decision.
With the election now days away, Salaam faces the task of translating his political experience and growing grassroots campaign into votes in a contest featuring the incumbent, Adeleke, and APC candidate Oyebamiji.