“God Had His Way, But My Supporters Betrayed Me” — Najeem Salam Breaks Silence On Osun Poll

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, Dr Najeem Salam, has broken his silence on the outcome of the poll, saying the result was ultimately the will of Almighty God.

Salam, a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, spoke in a short video obtained by Patriotic Insights News, where he reflected on the election and dismissed insinuations that he betrayed his supporters or collected money from politicians to work against his party or campaign.

According to him, his decision to contest the election was driven by his desire to improve the lives and welfare of the people of Osun State.

“The August 15 Governorship election went as Almighty God wanted it to be. I never disappointed my supporters or collected money from any politician to work for any opposition party,” Salam said.

The former Speaker further maintained that he remained committed to the people who supported his ambition, insisting that he did not betray their confidence.

“I contested the governorship election to better the lives of the people. I did not betray any of my supporters. However, most of my supporters betrayed me,” he stated.

Salam, however, did not disclose the identities of those he accused of betraying him or explain how the alleged betrayal affected his electoral performance.

The ADC candidate finished third in the August 15 election with 17,180 votes, behind the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, who polled 511,067 votes, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.

Adeleke was subsequently declared the winner after securing the highest number of votes across 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas.

Salam’s latest comments come amid post-election conversations over the political strategies, alliances and realignments that shaped the contest.

While accepting the outcome as the will of God, the former Speaker appeared determined to distance himself from any suggestion that he compromised his political ambition or abandoned those who supported his candidacy.

He insisted that his participation in the election was motivated by a genuine desire to govern Osun State and improve the welfare of its people.

For now, Salam has left unanswered questions over the alleged betrayal by some of his supporters, raising fresh curiosity about what transpired within his political camp before, during and after the election.