The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, has expressed confidence in winning the Osun State governorship election, saying he would emerge victorious if the process was free and fair. Salaam made the declaration shortly after casting his ballot at Unit 003, Iroyin Ayo Open Space, Ward 004, Ejigbo, where he arrived alongside his wife. After completing the accreditation and voting process, the ADC candidate remained at the polling unit for some time before addressing journalists. He said the people of Osun were yearning for a change in government, expressing optimism that their desire would translate into votes for the ADC. Osun election: Large Turnout Shows Voters Not Intimidated – Oyebamiji Missing medical doctor found dead in Rivers “Without manipulation, I will win this election. The people of Osun are behind me and they are ready for change. What we have been hearing from across the state shows that there is a strong desire for a new direction,” Salaam said. However, the candidate expressed concern over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the election, claiming that reports reaching him from various parts of the state indicated that the process was being compromised. “From the information I am getting across the state, there is widespread manipulation. We are monitoring the situation and we are hopeful that the will of the people will ultimately prevail,” he said. Salaam also dismissed allegations of vote buying against the ADC, insisting that the party had not engaged in any form of inducement of voters. “Our party is not involved in vote buying. We believe that the people should be allowed to freely choose the candidate they want. We are here to participate in a democratic process and we expect the votes of the people to count,” he said. The ADC candidate urged voters and his supporters to remain peaceful and vigilant throughout the exercise, stressing that the final result must reflect the genuine choice of the electorate. He further alleged that some ADC agents were prevented from participating in the electoral process at various polling units across the state. According to him, the alleged exclusion of party agents was among the irregularities being reported by the party’s field officers as voting continued. Salaam said preventing ADC agents from observing the voting and collation processes could undermine the transparency and credibility of the election. He noted that party agents were expected to monitor voting, counting and the recording of results at polling units, adding that their exclusion could raise questions about the integrity of the process. He called on election officials and relevant authorities to ensure that all political parties were allowed to participate fully in the process and that the votes cast by the people were accurately recorded and respected.
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