ADC names ex-Osun Speaker Salaam flag bearer for 2026 election

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam, on Monday emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2026 election in the state.

Delegates from the 30 local government areas of the state and the Ife East Area Office converged at the Ultimate Civic Centre, Osogbo, where the primary election was held.

Addressing delegates, the Chairman of the ADC 2026 Governorship Primary Election Committee, Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, said Salaam was the sole aspirant cleared for the contest, based on submissions from the party’s Organising Secretary and the outcome of the screening exercise.

A total of 528 delegates drawn from the 332 wards of the state participated in the primary election.

Announcing the result, Nwajiuba said all 528 votes were cast, with 520 valid votes recorded in favour of Salaam, while eight votes were voided.

He formally declared Salaam as the ADC candidate and flag bearer for the 2026 Osun governorship election, citing the powers conferred on the panel by the party’s constitution.

In his acceptance speech, Salaam described his emergence as a call to responsible, compassionate and accountable leadership in Osun State.

He said the state’s challenges stemmed from years of poor political judgement, internal contradictions and misplaced priorities, assuring that the ADC would govern with clarity, compassion and commitment to deliver better leadership for the people.