As the February 2027 Oyo State governorship election approaches, the emergence of Engr. Muftau Open Salawu, FNSE, as the deputy governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside governorship candidate Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, has revived memories of Ogbomoso’s political support for Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala in 2003.
At the time, Alao-Akala was nominated as deputy governor to Senator Rashidi Ladoja, a development that drew significant attention to Ogbomoso’s place in Oyo State politics. Supporters of Salawu are now calling on the people of Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities to demonstrate similar solidarity ahead of the 2027 election.
Salawu, who hails from Ile Alapa, Isale Ora, Ita Alasa, in Ogbomoso North, holds the traditional titles of Babalaje of Ogbomosoland and Giwa Adini of Oyo State. His supporters point to his reported contributions to community development, religious institutions, education, economic empowerment and infrastructure as reasons he deserves their backing.
His interventions reportedly include scholarships for 20 students, the donation of 50 laptops to indigent students, a ₦10 million contribution to the Ogbomoso Education Endowment Fund, and the distribution of food during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also credited with supporting religious institutions, funding Ramadan feeding initiatives and providing startup capital to traders.
In infrastructure, his supporters cite the provision of boreholes, a 200KVA transformer at Okin Apa and the facilitation of 46 kilometres of township roads in Ogbomoso, with work reportedly at an advanced stage. They also attribute nine federal government appointments and 65 state government appointments to his efforts on behalf of Ogbomoso indigenes.
Against this background, supporters argue that Salawu’s candidacy presents an opportunity for Ogbomoso to strengthen its political representation and influence in the state.
They have urged residents, traditional stakeholders, religious leaders and political groups across the zone to rally behind the APM ticket, insisting that community service and development should remain important considerations in political support.
As the 2027 election draws closer, the comparison with Alao-Akala’s emergence in 2003 adds a historical dimension to the campaign for Salawu, whose supporters hope to translate his community profile into broader political backing.
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— Mogjournals News