The people of Ogbomoso have been urged to rally behind Engr. Muftau Open Salawu, FNSE, following his emergence as the deputy governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
The call draws a parallel with the political developments of 2003, when Ogbomoso rallied behind one of its illustrious sons, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, following his nomination as deputy to the late former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.
Supporters of Open Salawu said the same spirit of unity and solidarity would be required to strengthen Ogbomoso’s political influence in the state as the 2027 election approaches.
He was nominated as running mate to the APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanbi, in what his supporters described as an opportunity for Ogbomoso to consolidate its political relevance and secure greater representation in government.
A native of Ile Alapa, Isale Ora, Ita Alasa, in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Salawu is the holder of the traditional titles of Babalaje of Ogbomosoland and Giwa Adini of Oyo State.
His supporters said his longstanding involvement in community development, philanthropy, education and religious activities had earned him recognition among different segments of the population.
They noted that his contributions cut across religious and political affiliations, citing his support for churches, mosques, educational initiatives and community development projects.
Among his reported contributions to Christian organisations is the donation of a bus to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogbomoso Zone, in 2021. He is also said to have sponsored a Christian radio programme presented by Rev. Dr Titilade Adetayo on Parrot FM for about a decade.
On the Muslim side, Salawu reportedly built central mosques in Ilajue, Surulere Local Government Area, and Olokoto, Orire Local Government Area, as well as mosques in Ile Ogiri and Tara, Ogbomoso. He also supported the establishment of the Ikoyi Central Mosque and the roofing of several Jumat mosques.
His supporters further stated that he initiated an Itikaf programme at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque and had funded the feeding of 100 participants annually since 2023. He was also said to have provided meals for about 9,000 people during Ramadan each year over the past eight years.
In education, Salawu reportedly provided scholarships for 20 students from primary school to university, donated 50 laptops to indigent students and contributed N10 million to the Ogbomoso Education Endowment Fund.
He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the proposed Ogbomoso University project and has reportedly supported several other educational and community development initiatives.
His supporters also listed the provision of start-up capital to traders, including grants of N1 million to several beneficiaries, among his empowerment interventions. Other reported contributions include the distribution of food items during the COVID-19 pandemic and assistance to party members during festive periods.
On infrastructure, Salawu was credited with drilling boreholes in communities across Ogbomoso Zone, providing a 200KVA transformer at Okin Apa and distributing 50 motorcycles, popularly called Green Bikes, to beneficiaries across party lines.
He was also said to have facilitated the construction of 46 kilometres of township roads in Ogbomoso, with the projects reportedly at an advanced stage.
In the area of employment, his supporters claimed that he facilitated nine Federal Government appointments and 65 appointments at the state level for indigenes of the area.
They argued that the alleged interventions demonstrated his commitment to improving the welfare of the people and should be considered in assessing his suitability for higher political office.
The supporters added that Salawu maintained cordial relationships with traditional rulers, chiefs, Christian clerics, Muslim leaders and residents across Ogbomoso, describing his community engagement as a major factor behind the call for his political support.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election, they urged Ogbomoso indigenes and residents to close ranks behind the APM deputy governorship candidate, recalling the solidarity that greeted Alao-Akala’s emergence in 2003.
They maintained that political aspirants seeking the support of the people should be prepared to demonstrate their contributions to the development of Ogbomosoland.
However, the extent to which the appeal would translate into broad-based political support across Ogbomoso and the wider Oyo State electorate remains to be seen.
The campaign message associated with Salawu is: “Build the People, Free the Nation.”