Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, on Monday, appealed to the electorate in Osun to support the party in the Augugst 15 governorship election.

Mr Abubakar made the appeal while speaking at the ADC campaign grand rally in Osogbo.

He said the ADC represented the interests of Nigerians, recalling his long-standing political relationship with the people of the state.

Mr Abubakar  said he had previously campaigned in Osun for Governor Ademola Adeleke and for his presidential bid, adding that the people had supported him 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 I can’t forget that,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the large turnout at the rally was a sign of victory for the ADC in Saturday’s election.

“I thank you very much for your turnout, which is quite impressive, and that has given us optimism that in the next elections, we are going to win; you are going to win,” he added.

In his remarks, the national chairman of the party, David Mark, said the gathering was to celebrate the party’s forthcoming victory at the poll.

Mr Mark urged voters to turn out en masse on Saturday to vote and protect their votes, warning that anyone who attempted to rig the election would not go unpunished.

“What we are here to do is celebrate the victory that we are going to come 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.

“On Saturday, protect your votes. Don’t allow anybody to rig you out. They will not rig and get away with it,” he said.

Former Governor of Osun and national secretary of the ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, said the party was genuinely committed to the welfare of the people.

Mr Aregbesola said governance must be about service, opportunity and restoring confidence in leadership.

He said the ADC represented the true heirs of Obafemi Awolowo’s progressive tradition of free education, quality healthcare and social welfare.

He added that the party would reintroduce school feeding across public primary schools and expand other social intervention schemes abandoned by successive administrations.

Mr Aregbesola stressed that good governance should be a continuum and that beneficial programmes should not be discarded because of political differences.

He described the party’s candidate, Najeem Salam, as the face of continuity and urged the electorate to elect him as the next governor of the state.

According to him, Mr Salam’s agenda includes re-establishing O’YES to employ 20,000 youths, reviving the O’MEALS school feeding programme, expanding mechanised agriculture, and investing 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,” he said.

He urged voters to come out on August 15 and vote for the ADC, saying the party had the experience and blueprint to restore prosperity and dignity to the state.

Mr Salaam promised that his administration would prioritise the wellbeing of the people.

He said all sectors would be improved, warning that the party would not allow any form of rigging in the election.

The ADC candidate also promised to create jobs 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.

“Education from the primary to the secondary school for our children will be free, and we will also ensure that we have a committee that will review the tuition fees in our higher institutions, with a plan to bring them down,” he said.   

(NAN)