*Open Salawu: Ogbomoso’s Pride and a Proven Running Mate || By Oyedeji Ahmed*

“Together, we will take Oyo State to greater heights,” Engr. Muftau Open Salawu said during his acceptance speech after being unveiled as the Allied People’s Movement, APM, deputy governorship candidate on Wednesday at the PDP-APM office in Molete, Ibadan.

A man with an unmatched track record, and with a polished CV and extensive experience in public service since Abiola Ajimobi’s administration. He’s thoroughly equipped to complement Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi in accelerating the development of Oyo State and ensuring continuity of Omituntun 3.0.

There are times when people judge public figures based on hearsay. But I believe it is important to share personal experiences that shape perspective. Why share this now? Not because today is special, or because I seek favour. But because tomorrow matters.

No leader is perfect. Every public figure has strengths and weaknesses, supporters and critics. That is the reality of leadership. However, we must be careful not to define people solely by personal interests or isolated experiences. A person may not be good to everyone, but that does not mean they are not good to someone else.

My experience with Hon. Muftau Open Salawu dates back years, and it was positive. I met a man who listened, related well, encouraged, and supported a young man struggling to build a better life through God-given talent and planning for the future beyond government. What stood out was the nickname he gave me: “ABACHA,” perhaps because of my dark glasses or my serious approach to media work. Either way, it reflected his humility and accommodating nature.

Anyone who visits his office at the Agodi Secretariat will never be kept waiting or avoided. He will always meet with you, no matter how busy he is. I believe every son and daughter of Ogbomoso who has visited him will acknowledge his simplicity, approachability, and accommodating spirit. He will never chase you away or fail to identify with you. I have accounts of people from Ogbomoso who visited him in Ibadan some months ago without an appointment, yet he attended to them, related with them, and made them happy as they left. This simple act speaks volumes about Engr. Open Salawu’s disposition and humanity.

That humility, coupled with generosity and commitment to community development, mirrors the attributes of the current Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal. And Insha Allah, Open Salawu will step into those shoes in 2027.

This is my story, and everyone from Ogbomoso Zone who has met him deserves the opportunity to tell theirs. As a people, we must manage our differences, appreciate good gestures, and avoid destroying reputations because someone did not meet personal expectations. History is written not only by criticism but also by honest testimonies.

Yesterday at Molete, generosity, humility, professionalism, community service, and religious uprightness made Engr. Open Salawu a worthy running mate to APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi. His unveiling as deputy governorship candidate was unanimously endorsed by Governor Seyi Makinde and other leaders from Ogbomoso Zone and across Oyo State. The wave of congratulations shows his broad acceptability.

As the Babalaje of Ogbomosoland, Engr. Muftau Open Salawu has been active in philanthropy, community service, and youth empowerment. Leadership is best entrusted to those who consistently demonstrate a heart for service, it is an open truth that Engr. Open Salawu embodies these qualities and represents the leadership Oyo deserves to deliver Governor Seyi Makinde’s vision for a modern Oyo State alongside the APM Governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi.

Moulded by years of selfless service and sustained by public support, Open Salawu has proven himself a grassroots politician who understands the needs of the masses. His accessibility, humility, and dedication to community development have endeared him to many, positioning him as a worthy deputy governorship candidate from Ogbomoso Zone.

At a time when experience, unity, and people-oriented governance are essential, Open Salawu stands out as a leader who sees public office as service, not self-aggrandizement. That is why he rose from Executive Assistant to Chairman of Project Monitoring and Performance. His vision is anchored on inclusive governance, youth empowerment, infrastructural development, and the overall progress of Oyo State.

Yes, Open Salawu is described as an erudite engineer, pragmatic administrator, committed Muslim, community-driven leader, and devoted family man, but only few have acknowledged that his humanitarian gestures earned him widespread respect across Ogbomoso and beyond. And as a devout Muslim, he has shown religious tolerance through donations to both Muslim and Christian communities and support for the construction of mosques and other religious centres. His consistent financial and moral support for education endowment funds and developmental initiatives in Ogbomoso makes his nomination a welcome development.

This was evident when Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi described him at the unveiling that: “Engr. Open Salawu is a thoroughbred engineer who served as head of the state’s project monitoring team. According to him, all the projects residents are happy the government is providing, he has been monitoring them to meet standards.”

Adekanmbi added: “We have had Omituntun 1.0, accelerated development; Omituntun 2.0, sustainable development. Now we are going to Omituntun 3.0, continued development. It is only sensible that people who have been schooled, who have a track record in private and public sectors, take over from Governor Makinde. This is a team ready for governance from day one. We are selling value, competence and loyalty to Oyo State. We are promising security of lives and property. It is a coalition of PDP and APM.”

“These challenges can only be overcome by a sound team, and that is what Bimbo and Open Salawu will represent. The combination is the best for Oyo State. It is a natural combination that any right-thinking person who loves the state will tap into,” he said.

With these remarks, Adekanmbi’s choice of Open Salawu is clearly the best among his peers. And I am doubly sure that every son and daughter of Ogbomoso would be proud of this pick. Since the unveiling, congratulatory messages have poured in from PDP, APM, and even APC supporters who see him as the most fit for the job. With his combination with Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, Oyo is in safe hands.

So, I doubt any Ogbomoso political leader within APM or PDP will remain hostile to Open Salawu’s nomination as deputy governorship candidate. Instead, they should unite for the actualization of Omituntun 3.0.

*To be continued…….*

*Oyedeji Ahmed, LMP, writes from Ibadan*