The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Osun State, on Saturday, conducted its state congress in Osogbo, ushering in a new set of executives amid a tight security presence.

Delegates drawn from the 30 local government areas of the state converged on the venue, where operatives of the police and the Department of State Services were strategically deployed to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

The congress, supervised by the Osun ADC Congress Committee Chairman, Mudashiru Akinlabi, proceeded smoothly, culminating in the emergence of new party leaders through a consensus arrangement.

At the end of the exercise, Issa Adesiji, a former chairman of Ilesa West Local Government, was elected as State Chairman, while Lani Baderinwa, a former Commissioner for Information during the administration of Rauf Aregbesola, emerged as State Secretary.

Other members of the newly constituted executive include Adepeju Adigun (Treasurer), Funmilade Oyebode (Women Leader), Ademola Owoade (Youth Leader), and Oluwaseun Abosede (Publicity Secretary), among others.

In his acceptance speech, Adesiji charged members of the executive to brace up for the task ahead, particularly the August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state.

He described the assignment as demanding, noting that the party must reposition itself from a state of near inactivity to a formidable force capable of clinching victory at the polls.

Adesiji appealed to party leaders and members to rally support for the new executive, stressing that collective effort would be crucial to achieving electoral success.

He expressed confidence in the party’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, citing his experience as a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly during Aregbesola’s administration.

Also speaking, Salaam, who attended the congress alongside his running mate, Yemisi Agiri, assured that an ADC-led government would prioritise inclusive governance and holistic development across the state.

He explained that the choice of a female running mate was a strategic decision aimed at fostering broader representation, adding that his administration would be people-oriented and responsive to diverse interests within the state.