Osun Election: Najeem Salaam – strengths, weaknesses
By Shina Abubakar, OSOGBO
With less than two days to the governorship election in Osun State and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, confirming that 2,339, 233 residents registered to participate in the polls, candidates and political parties are rounding up campaign and intensifying moves to warm themselves into the hearts of the people with a view to winning their support to emerge as the next Governor of the state.
Out of the 15 candidates, only three have presented manifestoes and commenced campaigns. Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, is one of them.
Strengths
Since unveiling his 10 point agenda, anchored on workers’ welfare and sustainable electricity for the industrialisation of the state, Salaam, a former Speaker of the House of Assembly, has continuously been engaging with the electorate on the need to abandon the traditional political parties.
Salaam’s advantage is Aregbesola’s grassroots appeal when he was governor in the state and the candidate’s humble nature that attracts him to a section of supporters across the state, especially from Osun-West Senatorial District where he hails from.
Many grassroots politicians, who left the APC along with Aregbesola, are with Salaam, which is helping to bolster his governorship ambition.
His Osun-West senatorial district roots can harm both Adeleke and Oyebamiji, and could be an advantage should he decide to go into an alliance work with any of the two.
He has, however, vowed to reach the finish line as he claims to be better qualified to govern the state than any of the candidates.
Ogbeni Aregbesola influence in Osogbo and Ilesa East local government may also work for Salaam’s ambition.
Challenges
Salaam’s major challenge is his affiliation with Rauf Aregbesola, who is the National Secretary of the ADC.
Civil servants are yet to forgive the former Governor, who had bitter experiences with the modulated salary and pension issues during Aregbesola’s reign.
Observers of political events in the state posit that the ADC does not have the necessary state-wide structure needed to prosecute an election, nor does it possess the needed resources to run a successful governorship project.
Vanguard News
The post Osun Election: Najeem Salaam – strengths, weaknesses appeared first on Vanguard News.