Najeem Folasayo Salaam, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Osun State, has named Yemisi Agiri as his running mate, describing the decision as a strategic move to promote inclusiveness. Salaam announced the selection during the party's state congress held on Saturday in Osogbo, where new party executives were also elected. He stated that an ADC administration would prioritise inclusive governance and real development across Osun State if elected on August 15. The congress, conducted under tight security, saw the deployment of Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives to maintain order. Delegates from all 30 local government areas attended the event, which was supervised by Mudashiru Akinlabi, chairman of the Osun ADC Congress Committee. Through a consensus arrangement, Issa Adesiji was elected as the new state chairman, with Lani Baderinwa elected as secretary. Other officials elected include Adepeju Adigun as Treasurer, Funmilade Oyebode as Women Leader, Ademola Owoade as Youth Leader, and Oluwaseun Abosede as Publicity Secretary. Salaam emphasized that the choice of a female deputy was deliberate, aimed at broadening representation within the party's leadership structure. The ADC campaign now moves into full gear as the August 15 governorship election approaches.
Selecting a female running mate is not merely symbolic for the ADC in Osun—it reflects a calculated political shift in a landscape where gender representation is often performative rather than structural. Salaam's choice of Yemisi Agiri does not just respond to demands for inclusion but positions the ADC as a party attempting to redefine campaign strategy around visibility and demographic outreach, particularly in mobilising women and youth voters. Unlike larger parties that often appoint deputies based on geopolitical balance, the ADC's move suggests a focus on narrative-building, using representation as a tool to differentiate itself in a crowded political arena.
This mirrors a broader trend across African opposition movements, where smaller parties leverage symbolic decisions to gain traction in elections dominated by well-funded political heavyweights. In countries like Kenya and Zambia, similar gestures have helped opposition coalitions expand their base, even if they don't win. The ADC's approach in Osun follows this playbook: using inclusivity not as window dressing but as a central campaign plank to challenge the status quo.
For Nigeria's political landscape, this signals a potential shift in how smaller parties compete—not by matching financial muscle, but by shaping discourse. Across Africa, where youth and women remain underrepresented in governance, such moves could influence how future candidates are selected beyond mere zoning formulas.
The real test will be whether this strategic inclusion translates into policy if the ADC wins. What to watch is how other minor parties respond—whether this triggers a wave of similar appointments or remains an isolated bid for relevance.
