Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, on Monday appealed to voters in Osun State to repay their longstanding support for him by voting for the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Najeem Salam, in Saturday’s election.

Atiku, who spoke at the ADC grand rally held at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, recalled his previous political engagements with the people of Osun, saying the state had consistently supported his political aspirations.

He said his relationship with the people of the state went beyond politics, noting that he had previously visited Osun to campaign for the incumbent governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and later returned during his presidential campaign, when, according to him, Osun voters again gave him their backing.

“Each time I stood here, you gave me your vote. I cannot forget that because your daughter is in my house,” Atiku told the crowd.

The former Vice President said he had personally returned to the state to appreciate voters for their previous support and seek their backing for the ADC candidate in the August 15 governorship election.

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“I have come again today to appeal to you to vote ADC. I believe you will not regret voting ADC. That is why I have come personally to relate with you, to thank you for your previous support and to appeal to you to vote ADC in the next gubernatorial election,” he said.

Atiku described the ADC as different from the other political parties contesting the election, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Accord, saying the party had attracted what he described as “the best of Nigerians.”

He also expressed optimism over the large turnout at the rally, saying the enthusiasm displayed by supporters had strengthened his confidence that the party would perform strongly at the poll.

“I thank you for your turnout, which is quite impressive. This has given us optimism that we are winning,” he said.

The ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, urged the electorate to come out in large numbers on Saturday and ensure that their votes counted.

Mark said the gathering was not merely a campaign rally but a celebration of what he described as the party’s impending victory, urging supporters to remain vigilant throughout the electoral process.

He warned against attempts to manipulate the outcome of the election, calling on voters to protect their votes.

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

Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, used the occasion to present the party as a platform committed to reviving what he described as the progressive tradition associated with the state.

Aregbesola said governance should be centred on service to the people, creation of opportunities and restoration of confidence in public institutions.

He recalled some of the social intervention programmes introduced during his administration, including O’YES, O’MEALS, O’REAP and O-AMBULANCE, arguing that programmes that directly benefited citizens should not be discontinued merely because of a change in government.

According to him, the ADC administration would revive and expand such initiatives if voted into office, particularly in the areas of youth employment, education, healthcare and agriculture.

He said the party planned to reintroduce the school feeding programme in public primary schools, revive youth empowerment initiatives and expand mechanised agriculture as part of efforts to stimulate economic activity across the state.

Aregbesola also promised greater attention to rural infrastructure, electrification and technology, arguing that development should extend beyond major urban centres.

He described the ADC candidate as a vehicle for restoring what he called a people-oriented administration and urged voters to give Salam the opportunity to lead the state.

In his address, the ADC governorship candidate, Dr Najeem Salam, promised an administration focused on the welfare of workers, pensioners, women, youths, farmers, children and other vulnerable groups.

Salam appealed to voters not to be intimidated by the tension associated with the election, assuring them that security would be available to enable citizens to exercise their franchise.

He promised that women would occupy a significant place in his administration, pointing to the choice of a female running mate as part of his commitment to greater representation of women in government.

Salam also pledged to improve the welfare of civil servants and pensioners, while promising what he described as a solution to the state’s electricity challenges.

On education, the ADC candidate promised free primary and secondary education and said his administration would establish a mechanism to review tuition fees in tertiary institutions with a view to making higher education more affordable.

He further pledged free healthcare for children between the ages of one and 18 in government hospitals, as well as free medical care for pregnant women throughout pregnancy and delivery.

The candidate also promised special attention to widows and elderly citizens, saying those aged 70 years and above would receive financial support from the government.

Salam made youth employment a major component of his campaign promises, pledging to employ at least 20,000 youths within his first 100 days in office if elected.

He also promised to strengthen agriculture and reduce losses suffered by farmers, while assuring residents that the school feeding programme would be restored.

The ADC candidate appealed to Osun voters to give the party the opportunity to implement its agenda, saying the election represented a choice about the future direction of the state.