Former Speaker Najeem Salam Emerges ADC Governorship Candidate for Osun 2026

Former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Najeem Salam, has emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The ADC primary held in Osogbo, the state capital on Monday with the total number 535 delegates of the party across 30 local government of the state.

Salam secured the party’s ticket with 520 votes at the exercise.

‎According to the electoral committee chairman of the party, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, announced that “There were 535 delegates in total, comprising 482 from local government areas and wards, while the remaining 53 were special delegates.

‎“The total number of accredited delegates was 528, which was also the total number of votes cast. Eight votes were invalid, while 520 votes were valid.
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‎“The total number of votes scored by aspirant Najeem Folasayo Salam is 520 votes.

‎“By the powers conferred on this panel by the constitution of the ADC, I hereby announce that the candidate-elect and now flagbearer of the ADC for the Osun 2026 governorship election is Najeem Folasayo Salam.”

In his acceptance speech, Rt. Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, attributed Osun current hardships to years of poor political judgment, and misplaced priorities within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Salaam criticized the misuse of federal influence to withhold Local Government allocations over legal disputes, which he said has led to weakened local governance, struggling schools, unpaid workers and neglected communities.

He said, “To the ADC faithful, our youths, women, elders, and grassroots organisers, you are the strength of this movement. You have chosen conviction over inducement and purpose over convenience. You represent the future we seek to build.

‘”The people of Osun are not asking for miracles. They are asking for competent governance, accountability, and leadership that listens.

“We must be honest: the challenges confronting Osun today did not emerge overnight. They are the result of years of poor political judgment, internal contradictions, and misplaced priorities, particularly within the All Progressives Congress (APC), where internal conflict, arrogance, and disregard for the people weakened governance and eroded public trust.

“Institutions were undermined. Genuine reform voices were sidelined. Governance became secondary to power struggles. Those of us who attempted to effect change from within were confronted with a system unwilling to reform itself.

“Our loyalty has always been to Osun State and its people, not to failed systems or empty slogans.

“Today, Osun continues to suffer unnecessary hardship, worsened by the misuse of federal influence to withhold Local Government allocations over avoidable legal disputes. The consequences are clear: weakened local governance, struggling schools, unpaid workers, and neglected communities.

“ADC will govern with clarity, compassion, and commitment. We are deliberate because Osun deserves intentional leadership. We are united because Osun yearns for stability. We are focused because Osun is tired of uncertainty.