The Allied People’s Movement (APM) in Oyo State has unveiled Ogbomoso-born politician and entrepreneur, Engr. Muftau Open Salawu, as its deputy governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The unveiling took place on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the party’s secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, where the APM governorship candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, formally presented Salawu to party leaders, stakeholders, members, and supporters.
The event marked a significant step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 governorship election, with the Adekanmbi-Salawu ticket pledging to sustain the development agenda of Governor Seyi Makinde under what they described as “Omituntun 3.0.”
Before the unveiling, Adekanmbi led attendees in observing a minute’s silence in honour of the slain teacher and security operative who lost their lives in the ongoing abduction crisis in Oriire Local Government Area. He also prayed for the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Speaking at the event, Adekanmbi said the choice of Salawu as his running mate was informed by the need to assemble a competent team capable of building on the achievements recorded by the Makinde administration over the last seven years.
He praised Governor Makinde for his performance in infrastructure development, human capital advancement, security, agribusiness and tourism, saying the next administration must consolidate on those gains.
According to him, the proposed Omituntun 3.0 agenda would focus on continuity in governance, improved healthcare, quality education, security of lives and property, tourism development, prompt payment of salaries and the delivery of more democratic dividends.
“Governor Seyi Makinde has provided welfare for the citizens. He has also ensured security of lives and property, and it behoves on any serious administration to hand over to another capable government,” Adekanmbi said.
He described Salawu as a seasoned engineer and former head of the state’s project monitoring team who played a critical role in ensuring quality delivery of government projects across Oyo State.
“Today we are unveiling the Deputy Governorship candidate, Engineer Muftau Open Salawu. He is a thoroughbred engineer who served as the head of the state’s project monitoring team.
“All the projects that residents of Oyo State are happy the government is providing through the governor, he has been monitoring them to ensure they meet the required standards,” he said.
The governorship candidate further described the alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APM as a coalition built on competence, loyalty and commitment to the development of Oyo State.
He urged party members and residents of the state to support the party’s candidates at all levels in the 2027 elections.
In his acceptance speech, Salawu expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde, party leaders and members for the confidence reposed in him.
He called on members of the coalition to set aside differences and work together towards securing victory at the polls.
“Whatever we are doing, whatever is our relationship, what is important in politics is winning. We have to win the next election; it is when we win the next election that we can sit down and start discussing positions,” he said.
Salawu pledged to deploy his experience in both the public and private sectors to support Adekanmbi in delivering greater development across the state.
“I accept to deputise Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, and I promise that, together, we will take Oyo State to greater heights,” he added.
Earlier, the Oyo State Chairman of the APM, Otunba Adegbenro Fagbemi, described the PDP-APM coalition as unprecedented in the political history of the state and urged all stakeholders to work for the success of the alliance.
Also speaking, Oyo State PDP Chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, and Chairman of the Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr. Saka Balogun, said Adekanmbi emerged as the consensus governorship candidate through broad consultations among party leaders.
They appealed to aggrieved party members to close ranks and support the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event was attended by top PDP and APM officials, including the Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; PDP State Secretary, Hon. Oyelami Oyeyemi Joel; Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade; Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke; former Commissioner for Finance, Chief Bayo Bankole; former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja; and Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. Akeem Olatunji, among others.
Party leaders and members from all 33 local government areas of Oyo State were also present at the ceremony.
