Former Speaker Najeem Salaam Emerges African Democratic Congress Governorship Candidate After Primary Election

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially confirmed its candidate for the upcoming 2026 Osun State Governorship Election. Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, secured the party’s ticket after a primary election held in Osogbo.

The election, which took place at the Ultimate Civic Centre, was supervised by a panel led by Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and observed by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). As the sole aspirant in the contest, Dr. Salaam was overwhelmingly affirmed by the party’s delegates.

Announcing the results, Nwajiuba confirmed that out of 528 accredited delegates, 520 valid votes were cast in favour of Salaam, with eight votes voided. “By the power conferred on this panel by the constitution of the ADC, I hereby announce Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam as the candidate-elect and flagbearer of the African Democratic Congress for the 2026 Osun State governorship election,” Nwajiuba declared.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Salaam thanked the party leadership and delegates for the mandate, stating he accepts the responsibility with a “deep sense of hope.” He immediately launched into an assessment of the current state of affairs in Osun.

“The challenges confronting Osun today are the result of years of poor political judgment, internal contradictions, and misplaced priorities, particularly within the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Salaam asserted. He pledged that his candidature and the ADC platform offer a credible, alternative government, adding that the people of Osun are not asking for miracles, but for “competent governance, accountability, and leadership that listens.” Salaam’s emergence adds another significant contender to the list of candidates vying to unseat the incumbent Governor in the highly anticipated 2026 poll.