pannigeriannews 
In 2003, the people of Ogbomoso rallied behind Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala when he was nominated as Deputy Governor to Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja. In 2026, history appears to be repeating itself with the nomination of Engr. Muftau Open Salawu, FNSE, as the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside Hon. Bimbo Adekambi as the party’s governorship candidate for the February 2027 election.
The development is another opportunity for Ogbomoso to rally behind one of its illustrious sons, who holds the traditional titles of Babalaje of Ogbomosoland, Giwa Adini of Oyo State, Waziri Jari Nupe, and so on. Like Alao-Akala, whose emergence in 2003 attracted considerable support from his people, Open Salawu is being presented as a candidate whose longstanding contributions to the social, religious and economic development of Ogbomosoland deserve recognition.
An indigene of Ile Alapa, Isale Ora, Ita Alasa, in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Open Salawu has, over the years, supported community development through philanthropy, education, religious initiatives, business empowerment, infrastructure and employment opportunities.
Contributions to religious and community development
Open Salawu has consistently supported Christian and Muslim communities through donations, sponsorships and the construction of religious facilities.
In 2021, he donated a bus to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogbomoso Zone. He has also sponsored Rev. Dr. Titilade Adetayo’s Christian radio programme on Parrot FM for the past decade and supported various churches across Ogbomoso.
His contributions to Islamic development include the construction of central mosques in Ilajue, Surulere Local Government Area, and Olokoto, Orire Local Government Area, as well as mosques at Ile Ogiri and Tara in Ogbomoso. He also supported the establishment of Ikoyi Central Mosque and provided roofing assistance to several Jumat mosques.
Since 2023, he has funded the annual feeding of 100 participants during the Itikaf programme he initiated at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque. He has also reportedly fed 9,000 people every Ramadan for the past eight years.
These interventions reflect his longstanding involvement in religious activities, community welfare and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.
Investment in education and economic empowerment
Education and economic empowerment have featured prominently in Open Salawu’s contributions to Ogbomosoland. He has provided full scholarships for 20 students from primary school to university, with several beneficiaries now attending higher institutions. He has also donated 50 laptops to indigent students across Ogbomoso.
In support of small businesses, he recently provided start-up capital of ₦1 million each to several traders and has assisted other individuals with funds to establish or expand their businesses.
His humanitarian interventions include distributing 300 bags of rice alongside cash to party members during festive periods over the past three years and providing food items valued at more than ₦10 million to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also donated ₦10 million to the Ogbomoso Education Endowment Fund and consistently supports development programmes across the town. As a member of the Board of Trustees of Ogbomoso University, he remains connected to initiatives aimed at advancing educational development.
Infrastructure and community development
Open Salawu has also supported infrastructure projects intended to improve living conditions across Ogbomosoland.
His contributions include donating 50 motorcycles, popularly known as green bikes, to beneficiaries across political divides; drilling boreholes in several communities; and providing a 200KVA transformer at Okin Apa to support electricity supply.
He has also facilitated 46 kilometres of township roads in Ogbomoso, with work reportedly at an advanced stage. These interventions form part of the record his supporters highlight as evidence of his commitment to community development beyond partisan politics.
Employment opportunities for Ogbomoso indigenes
Open Salawu’s reported contributions to employment include facilitating nine Federal Government appointments and 65 Oyo State Government appointments for sons and daughters of Ogbomoso.
His supporters regard these opportunities as an important part of his contribution to the community, helping indigenes access public service and advance their careers.
His cordial relationships with traditional rulers and religious leaders across Ogbomosoland are also associated with his longstanding involvement in community affairs and his support for religious and developmental initiatives.
Call for Ogbomoso’s support
With his emergence as the APM Deputy Governorship candidate, Open Salawu’s supporters are calling on the people of Ogbomoso Zone and beyond to consider his record of service as the February 2027 election approaches.
Drawing parallels with Alao-Akala’s emergence in 2003, they believe the nomination offers Ogbomoso another opportunity to support one of its sons for a strategic position in Oyo State’s political leadership.
The argument is that political support should not rest solely on party affiliation or campaign promises but should also consider a candidate’s record of engagement with the people. In this regard, Open Salawu’s reported contributions to education, religious development, employment, infrastructure and social welfare form the basis of his supporters’ appeal.
Those seeking to challenge him for political support in Ogbomoso are therefore being urged to demonstrate their own contributions to the community and explain how their records compare. The expectation is that anyone seeking the people’s votes should be prepared to account for their efforts towards improving lives and advancing local development.
As the 2027 election draws closer, Open Salawu’s nomination has placed Ogbomoso’s political expectations in focus, with his supporters hoping that the spirit of solidarity witnessed during Alao-Akala’s emergence will be rekindled.
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