The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, who is also the National Chairman of ADC and his secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday canvassed electorate in Osun to vote for the party’s standard bearer, Najeem Salaam during Saturday governorship poll in the state.

They assured eligible voters that the state can only witness responsible and virile leadership that can positively impact the masses if they cast their ballots for the ADC, stressing that nobody should not be swayed any form of intimidation and protect their votes.

Speaking during a campaign rally at the popular Freedom Park, in Osogbo, which was attended by other top echelon of the ADC, including Senator Dino Melaye, and the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Honourable Najeem Salaam, the trio, who spoke in turn, emphasised the need for a violent free and credible poll.

While recalling that his presence at the rally would be the fourth time on the podium in Freedom Park, Atiku commended Osun residents for voting for him during 2023 presidential poll when he contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to defeat incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to him, “I came here for the current governor (Ademola Adeleke) and I appeal to you to support him and you voted him. I came here during presidential campaign and you voted for me and defeated Bola Ahmed Tinubu in this state. For me, I can’t forget that.

“For me I have come today to you again to vote ADC. This is because I can assure you that ADC is different from APC, Accord and all other parties. The best of Nigerians are today in ADC, I am appealing to you the next governorship election you should vote ADC.”

In his remark, Aregbesola who is a former governor of Osun and immediate past Minister of Interior, restated that the party was not in alliance or negotiation talk with any political party ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll.

Speaking in Yoruba, he maintained that the ADC remains the only political organisation with the flag ship, philosophy and vision of Late Premier, Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He stated, “We are taking after Chief Obafemi Awolowo in terms of free education, support for farmers, banishing poverty. We are the children of Awolowo. Firstly, whoever wants the return of Awolowo’s government should vote for us.

“Secondly, we heard some people saying we have teamed up with a political party, it is not true. We stand on our own. We will vote and win. If they give you money take it because men of virtue are bosses to fools, “Aregbesola averred.

The National chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark, said they were in the state to celebrate the anticipated victory people of Osun will give to ADC after the end of election on Saturday, pointing out that they should not entertain fear by protecting their votes.

Meanwhile, the ADC flag bearer, Salaam, who is also a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, assured the people that his administration if elected would implement 10-point agenda which focuses on free education, youth empowerment, agriculture, free health for children from one-year old to 18, elderly, free antenatal care to pregnant women, stable power supply, among others.