“The Best Nigerians Are Now in ADC” - Atiku Woos Osun Voters

Atiku Abubakar addressing supporters during the ADC campaign rally for governorship candidate Dr. Najeem Folasayo in Osun State.

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged voters in Osun State to support the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Najeem Folasayo, describing the ADC as a political platform now attracting “the best of Nigerians.”

Atiku made the statement on Monday while addressing supporters at the ADC campaign rally in Osun State, where he appealed to residents to support the party in the forthcoming governorship election.

The former vice president used the occasion to remind Osun voters of their previous support for him during past elections, saying he had not forgotten the confidence they had repeatedly shown in him.

“My fellow Osun citizens, this is the fourth time I am standing on this podium. And each time I stood here, you gave me your vote. I cannot forget that,” Atiku said.

He recalled his previous visit to Osun during the governorship election, when he appealed to residents to support Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“I came here for the current governor, and I appealed to you to support him, and you voted him,” he said.

Atiku also recalled his presidential campaign in the state, claiming that Osun voters supported his presidential bid and voted against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I came here on my presidential campaign, you voted for me, and you defeated Bola Ahmed Tinubu in this state. For me, I can’t forget that,” he said.

The ADC presidential candidate said his longstanding relationship with Osun voters was one of the reasons he personally attended the campaign to seek their support once again.

“I have come today to appeal to you again to vote ADC,” Atiku told the crowd.

He sought to distinguish the ADC from other political parties contesting for power in the state, arguing that the party had attracted a new group of Nigerians seeking political change.

“ADC, I can assure you, is different from APC, is different from Accord, is different from all other parties,” he said.

Atiku then made his strongest pitch for the party, declaring that some of the country’s most capable people had joined the ADC.

“Because the best of Nigerians are today in ADC. The best of Nigerians are today in ADC,” he said.

The statement appeared aimed at presenting the ADC as an alternative to the established political parties and encouraging voters who are dissatisfied with the existing political system to consider the party.

Atiku also urged Osun residents to support Dr. Najeem Folasayo, the ADC governorship candidate, in the election.

He expressed confidence that the turnout at the campaign rally was an indication of growing support for the party across the state.

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

The former vice president’s appearance comes as political parties intensify their campaigns and mobilisation activities ahead of the Osun governorship election.

The ADC has been seeking to strengthen its presence in the state by presenting Folasayo as its candidate and relying on the party’s national leadership to mobilise support.

Atiku’s participation adds weight to the campaign as he remains one of the major figures associated with the ADC’s national political project ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

His message in Osun was, however, focused primarily on the immediate governorship contest, with the former vice president asking residents to reward the party with their votes.

Atiku also framed his appeal around gratitude, reminding voters that he had previously sought their support and received it.

He said he had come not only to request another vote but also to thank Osun residents for their previous backing.

“That’s 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.

The ADC campaign is expected to continue its mobilisation across Osun as the party works to convince voters that Folasayo can provide a different direction for the state.

With the election expected to attract strong competition from the major political parties, the ADC will be hoping that Atiku’s national profile and the party’s growing political structure can translate into increased support for its candidate at the grassroots.

For Atiku, the message to Osun voters was straightforward: the people who supported him in previous elections should now consider extending that support to the ADC.

He concluded by thanking the people for their impressive turnout and expressing optimism that the enthusiasm displayed at the rally would eventually produce victory for the party.

The development adds another layer to the growing political contest in Osun, as parties continue to make their final appeals to voters and position their candidates ahead of the governorship election.