Osun 2026: I’m My Own Man, Not Aregbesola’s Choice – ADC Governorship Candidate, Salaam
...Pledges to Boost IGR Through Agriculture, 24-Hour Electricity
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun State, Dr. Najeem Salaam, has declared that he is his own man politically and would not be controlled by former Governor Rauf Aregbesola if elected governor.
Salaam acknowledged his political association with Aregbesola but said it did not mean he would take instructions from the former governor or allow him to dictate his decisions.
He made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
“I’m a man, and I know what I’m doing,” Salaam said, stressing that his education, political experience, and exposure had equipped him to make decisions independently.
He disclosed that he had been campaigning across the state and engaging with local government authorities and traditional rulers on his own, adding that Aregbesola only joined his campaign on a few occasions.
Salaam also revealed that he studied political science up to the PhD level and had accumulated significant experience in governance, including his tenure as Speaker of the House of Assembly.
He noted that his 10-point development agenda reflected his personal vision for the state and was designed to address key challenges in sectors including healthcare, security, agriculture, employment and workers’ welfare.
On revenue generation, the ADC candidate stated that his administration would focus on productive sectors, particularly agriculture, to increase the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and reduce dependence on federal allocations.
He also promised to provide 24-hour electricity across the state, arguing that reliable power supply would stimulate economic activities, attract investment, and ultimately increase government revenue.
“I promise the people of the state 24/7 electricity. And I want to assure you that if you can have this alone, definitely the economy is turned around, and definitely the IGR of the state will increase,” he said.
Salaam explained that recent changes in Nigeria’s electricity sector had created opportunities for state governments to generate and distribute electricity, adding that he had studied ways Osun could take advantage of the development.
He equally identified agriculture as a major area through which the state could generate additional revenue.
“Agriculture, if it is well-focused on by the government, can generate the money that government needs to run the system without even waiting for the federal allocation,” he asserted.
On the state’s mineral resources, Salaam pledged that his administration would seek to ensure that communities and residents benefited directly from mining activities.
He stressed the need to audit the state’s mineral resources and develop strategies for processing raw minerals locally, rather than allowing the resources to leave the state without creating sufficient economic benefits for its people.
He argued that establishing mineral-processing facilities would create jobs, stimulate local economic activities, and increase revenue for the state.
Salaam further pledged to improve the welfare of workers and retirees, expand healthcare services, create employment opportunities, support women, and provide assistance to vulnerable families.
The ADC candidate emphasised that his development agenda had been documented and distributed across the state to enable residents to hold him accountable if elected.
He expressed confidence in his chances of winning the August 15 election, saying he did not envisage failure.
“I will not fail the people of Osun State. This is a government that the people of Osun State will appreciate,” he said.
Salaam added that he believed his campaign had remained peaceful and that voters across the state were already aware of the direction they wanted the state to take.
