With only days to Saturday’s governorship election, major political parties in Osun State have intensified their campaigns, seeking to win over voters across the state.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) held its final campaign rally in Osogbo on Thursday, urging voters to support its candidate and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam.

The rally, held at Nelson Mandela Park, attracted the party’s national leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, National Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State.

Atiku appealed to voters to support the ADC, recalling his previous political campaigns in the state and thanking residents for their past support.

“This is the fourth time I am standing on this podium. Each time I stood here, you have given me your vote,” Atiku said.

He urged the electorate to vote for the ADC, describing the party as a platform capable of providing better leadership for the state.

The former Vice President also expressed optimism that the large turnout at the rally was an indication of strong support for the party ahead of Saturday’s election.

Mark, in his address, described the rally as a celebration of the party’s anticipated victory and urged voters to turn out, vote and protect their ballots.

He said the party expected to return to Osun in November to celebrate the inauguration of Salam as governor if the ADC wins the election.

Aregbesola also canvassed support for Salam, promising that the ADC would revive social intervention programmes implemented during his tenure as governor.

He listed programmes such as O-YES for youth empowerment, O-MEALS for school feeding, O-REAP for agriculture and O-AMBULANCE for emergency healthcare, promising that the initiatives would be revived and expanded if the ADC wins.

APC takes campaign to women

The All Progressives Congress (APC), meanwhile, intensified its grassroots campaign following former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s public declaration of support for the party.

The APC campaign team, led by the wife of the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Sekinat Oyebamiji, took its message to major markets in Osogbo.

The team engaged women traders and other residents, educating them on the voting process and urging them to support the APC candidate.

The party is seeking to consolidate its support across the state as the campaign enters its final stage.

Accord seeks improved INEC logistics

The ruling Accord Party also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review its logistics arrangements ahead of Saturday’s election.

The party’s campaign council urged the electoral body to ensure that personnel, voting materials and other arrangements were adequately deployed to enable a smooth and credible poll.

Meanwhile, supporters of the incumbent administration also took their campaign message to the streets.

Governor Ademola Adeleke’s wife, Titilola Adeleke, led members of the State Executive Council and other party leaders on a rally calling for a free and fair election.

The rally formed part of efforts by the governor’s camp to mobilise support and ensure a peaceful electoral process.

About 2.3 million registered voters are expected to participate in the election across Osun’s 30 local government areas and the Modakeke Area Council.

With the major parties stepping up their mobilisation and final appeals, attention is now focused on voter turnout, election-day logistics and the ability of the parties to protect their votes when Osun goes to the polls on Saturday.