...promise return of O’YES, O’MEALS, free education, healthcare
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday intensified its campaign for the August 15 Osun State governorship election as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, rallied voters behind the party’s candidate, Dr Najeem Salam.
At the party’s grand rally at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, Atiku urged residents to turn out in large numbers on Saturday and vote for Salam, arguing that the ADC represented a pathway to renewed prosperity for the state.
Atiku, who is the ADC presidential candidate, recalled his previous political engagements with Osun voters, saying the people of the state had consistently supported him.
He said he had visited the state to campaign for the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, and later during his presidential campaign, adding that voters responded positively on both occasions.
“This is the fourth time I am standing on this podium. Each time I stood here, you have given me your vote. I cannot forget that because your daughter is in my house.
“I came here for the current governor, and I told you people to support him, and you voted for him. I came here on my presidential campaign; you voted for me, and you defeated Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For me, I can’t forget that,” he said.
The former vice-president said his appearance at the rally was partly to appreciate the people for their previous support and to seek their backing for the ADC candidate.
“I have come today to appeal to you again to vote for ADC. This is because ADC is different from APC, Accord and other political parties. The best of Nigerians today are in ADC,” Atiku said.
He expressed confidence that the turnout at the rally was an indication that the party had significant support ahead of the election.
“I thank you very much for your turnout, which is quite impressive, and that has given us optimism that in the next election we are going to win; you are going to win,” he added.
Also speaking, ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, urged voters to protect their ballots on election day, declaring that the party would resist any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the poll.
Mark said the rally was effectively a mobilisation for what he described as the party’s impending victory.
“What we are here to do is celebrate the victory that we are going to bring to the ADC on Saturday. Our presidential candidate is here with us, and this shows the love he has for this party. By the time we swear in Najeem Salam in November, we will be here again to march with you to the Government House,” he said.
He added, “On Saturday, protect your votes. Don’t allow anybody to rig you out. They will not rig and get away with it.”
Aregbesola, who served as Osun governor between 2010 and 2018 and is now the National Secretary of the ADC, used the rally to present the party as a platform capable of reviving the social programmes associated with his administration.
According to him, the essence of governance should be service to the people, creation of opportunities and restoration of public confidence.
He said the ADC represented the progressive tradition associated with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare and social welfare.
Aregbesola recalled programmes established during his tenure, including O’YES, O’MEALS, O’REAP and O-AMBULANCE, promising that they would be revived under an ADC government.
“We invested in healthcare, social welfare, and emergency response systems like O-AMBULANCE. We introduced O’YES for youth empowerment, O’MEALS for school feeding, and O’REAP for agriculture. These and many more laudable programmes will be back under Iwaloye,” he said.
He argued that government programmes that benefited the people should be sustained regardless of changes in political leadership.
Aregbesola also promised greater attention to rural infrastructure, arguing that rural roads were essential to connecting farmers with markets, children with schools and communities with economic opportunities.
He said an ADC administration would prioritise rural electrification, mechanised agriculture and innovation hubs as part of efforts to create jobs and improve productivity.
The former governor described Salam as the candidate who would provide continuity with the progressive programmes of his administration.
He said Salam’s agenda included the revival of O’YES, with a target of employing 20,000 youths, the restoration of O’MEALS in public primary schools, expansion of mechanised agriculture and increased investment in rural infrastructure and technology.
“This election is about the future of Osun. Quality education, youth opportunities, farmer prosperity, and a government that truly serves the people,” Aregbesola said.
He therefore urged voters to support the ADC on August 15, arguing that the party had the experience and policy blueprint required to restore prosperity and dignity to the state.
Receiving the party’s flag, the ADC governorship candidate, Dr Najeem Salam, pledged to make the welfare of residents the centrepiece of his administration if elected.
Salam promised reforms across key sectors of the state and said his administration would not tolerate electoral manipulation.
He also pledged to create employment opportunities for 20,000 youths within his first 100 days in office.
“On Saturday, nobody will be allowed to rig us out. What they did in Ekiti State will not happen here. If we win the election, I want to tell you that our electricity will be stable. We have a solution to that, and it is a promise,” Salam said.
On education, the candidate promised free education from primary to secondary school and said a committee would be established to review tuition fees in the state’s tertiary institutions with a view to reducing the financial burden on students and their families.
He also promised free medical treatment for children aged one to 18 in well-equipped government hospitals, as well as free treatment for pregnant women.
“Our elders and widows will be taken care of,” he added.
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