The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, has expressed confidence that he will emerge victorious if the process is free and fair.
Salaam arrived at Unit 003, Iroyin Ayo Open Space, Ward 004, Ejigbo, alongside his wife, where he joined other voters waiting to exercise their franchise.
The ADC candidate completed the accreditation and voting process shortly after his arrival and remained at the polling unit for a while before speaking with journalists.
Speaking after casting his ballot, Salaam said he is confident of victory, insisting that the people of Osun State are behind his candidacy and eager for a change.
He said: “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.”
The ADC candidate, however, raised concerns over what he described as widespread manipulation of the electoral process, saying information reaching him from different parts of the state suggested that the exercise was not being conducted as expected.
“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 suggestions that his party was involved in vote buying, insisting that the ADC did not engage in the practice during the election.
“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.
He urged his supporters and other voters to remain peaceful and vigilant throughout the exercise, stressing that the outcome should reflect the genuine choice of the electorate.
Salaam also alleged that some ADC agents were excluded from the electoral process at various polling units across the State.
He said the development is part of the irregularities being reported to him by the party’s field officers as voting progressed.
He maintained that the alleged exclusion of ADC agents could undermine the transparency of the exercise, particularly where party representatives were expected to monitor the voting and counting processes.
- Media Report