The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Osun State, Najeem Salaam, has promised to recruit 20,000 people into the state civil service within his first 100 days in office if elected.

Salaam made the pledge on Tuesday during a town hall meeting organised by Arise TV for candidates contesting the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

The former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly said the proposed recruitment would cover various fields, including teaching, and would not be restricted to a particular profession.

Defending his promise, Salaam said his 10-point developmental agenda was based on research and contained programmes he believed were achievable.

He said, “People that know me will know that when I talk, I’m a very researched person. I don’t just talk anyhow. I conduct my research and look into things that I can do before I say it out.

“All that constitute my 10-point developmental agenda in my manifesto are doable, and the things that I will do—if not more than that. And that is why it is codified for people to have access to it.

“I said I’m going to engage 20,000 youth in the first 100 days. It can be of different fields—it can be teachers, it can be this and that. I’m not targeting a particular thing, but thank God you are helping me now to look into that. But 20,000 is doable.”

Salaam, who served in the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, said his experience in government gave him confidence that the proposed recruitment was achievable.

“I’ve been in the government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and we know the way we did it then. It is not a difficult task, and I am reassuring the people of Osun State that the first 100 days in office, by God’s grace, I am going to recruit 20,000 into the government job,” he said.

The ADC candidate also promised to provide uninterrupted electricity across the state if elected.

He said the Electricity Act 2023 had empowered state governments to generate and distribute electricity, noting that some states had already begun implementing electricity initiatives.

“Why will it be so difficult for Osun to have this?” he asked.

Salaam said he had consulted individuals with the expertise to assist his administration in developing the state’s electricity infrastructure.

“I want to reassure the people of Osun that if I am elected to be the governor of the state, we will be enjoying 24 hours of electricity without interruption,” he said.