‎The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun State on Saturday conducted its state congress, electing a new set of executives in a tightly secured exercise held in Osogbo, the state capital.

‎Delegates drawn from all 30 local government areas of the state participated in the congress, which was monitored by security operatives, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS). The exercise was supervised by the chairman of the Osun ADC Congress Committee, Mudashiru Akinlabi.

‎At the end of the exercise, former chairman of Ilesa West Local Government, Issa Adesiji, emerged as the state chairman, while Lani Baderinwa, a former Commissioner for Information under ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola, was elected secretary. Other executives elected through a consensus arrangement include Adepeju Adigun as Treasurer, Funmilade Oyebode as Women Leader, Ademola Owoade as Youth Leader, and Oluwaseun Abosede as Publicity Secretary, among others.

‎In his acceptance speech, Adesiji charged members of the newly inaugurated executive to brace up for the task ahead, particularly the August 15, 2026 governorship election. He stressed that the party must mobilise effectively to secure victory, describing the mission as a collective responsibility.

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‎“We are taking over at a critical time, with a ‘must-win’ governorship election just months away. This requires dedication, unity, and hard work from all of us,” he said, while urging party leaders and members to rally support for the ADC candidate, Dr. Najeem Salaam.

‎Adesiji also praised Salaam’s leadership pedigree, noting his eight-year tenure as Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly during Aregbesola’s administration as evidence of his experience and capacity to govern.

‎However, the highlight of the event was the address by the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Najeem Salaam, who appeared alongside his running mate, Yemisi Agiri.

‎In his remarks, Salaam laid strong emphasis on the rationale behind selecting a female deputy governorship candidate, describing the decision as both strategic and value-driven.

‎He explained that the choice of Agiri reflects the party’s commitment to inclusive governance, gender balance, and broader representation in leadership. According to him, the ADC deliberately opted for a female running mate to ensure that women, who constitute a significant portion of the population, are actively represented in the decision-making process.

‎Salaam noted that beyond symbolism, the selection was based on competence and the need to harness diverse perspectives in governance.

‎He maintained that empowering women in leadership roles would enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in areas affecting families, education, healthcare, and social development.

‎“Our decision to pick a female deputy governorship candidate is intentional and strategic. It is about inclusion, fairness, and tapping into the immense potential that women bring to governance,” Salaam said.

‎He further assured that, if elected, his administration would run a government that accommodates all segments of society, irrespective of gender, age, or background. He added that the ADC government would prioritise policies that promote equity, development, and collective progress across Osun State.

‎Salaam concluded by reaffirming his commitment to delivering real development, urging party members and the electorate to support the ADC in the forthcoming election.