APM Deputy Gov Candidate, Open Salawu, Donates N15m For Rabitah Conference, N1m To Ulamas

The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in Oyo State, Engr. Muftau Open Salawu, has donated the sum of Fifteen Million Naira (N15m) in support of the upcoming Oyo 2026 Rabitah Conference aimed at advancing the development of Islam in the state and across Yorubaland.

He also made a personal donation of One Million Naira (N1m) to the delegation as pocket money, in demonstration of his longstanding culture of honouring and caring for Ulamas.

Engr. Open Salawu, who is the Giwa Adinni of Oyo State and the Babalaje of Ogbomosoland, announced the donations on Tuesday when he received the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakry Agbotomokekere, alongside a delegation of distinguished Imams, Alfas and Islamic scholars from across Yorubaland.

The delegation, under the aegis of Rabitatul Aimmat Wal Ulamai Fi Bilaadi Yoruba (League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland), paid a courtesy visit to the APM Governorship candidate as part of preparations for the Yorubaland Muslim Conference, Ibadan 2026, scheduled for November.

The delegation described Engr. Open Salawu as the pride of Islam in Oyo State, commending his consistent contributions to the propagation and development of Islam over the years.

They listed some of his interventions to include building the Central Mosque in Ilajue, Surulere Local Government Area; building the Central Mosque in Olokoto, Orire Local Government Area; single-handedly building the mosques in Ile-Ogiri and Tara in Ogbomoso; supporting the foundation of the Ikoyi Central Mosque and roofing several Jumat mosques.

Other interventions highlighted include initiating Itikaf at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque and funding the feeding of 100 participants annually since 2023, feeding 9,000 people every Ramadan for the past 8 years, and sponsoring Muslim and Christian programmes on Parrot FM, Ogbomoso for over 10 years.

They formally invited him to the conference while applauding his generous support.

According to the Ulamas, the three-day conference, scheduled to hold from November 13 to 16, 2026, at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, will be intellectually engaging and spiritually uplifting.

They disclosed that the conference will bring together renowned Islamic scholars, community leaders, government officials and stakeholders to deliberate on values that bind society together, including peace, unity, education, moral leadership, youth development and the strengthening of religious and community institutions.

Topics to be discussed include the role of Imams in purifying Islamic pulpits, the duties of political leaders ahead of the forthcoming elections, and other pertinent issues affecting the Muslim Ummah and the nation at large.

NUT, NASU Back Adekanmbi, Demand Better Welfare, Digitalised Schools in Oyo

The 2027 governorship campaign in Oyo State received another significant development as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), Oyo State chapters, declared their support for the governorship candidacy of Hon. Bimbo Abim Adekanmbi.

The declaration was made during an engagement between Adekanmbi and representatives of the education-sector unions in Oyo town, where the unions also used the opportunity to present their concerns and expectations for the future of education workers and schools across the state.

Beyond the endorsement, the meeting provided an opportunity for direct interaction, with union representatives raising issues around workers’ welfare, professional development, digitisation, school facilities, allowances, promotions and other conditions affecting teachers and non-academic staff.

The NUT highlighted expectations including improved welfare packages, rural allowances, electronic lesson notes, digitisation of schools and regular training and retraining programmes for teachers. NASU also presented concerns relating to the peculiar nature of non-academic staff duties and called for measures that would address their welfare.

Responding to the issues raised, Adekanmbi reaffirmed that the welfare of education workers would remain an important component of his administration's agenda if elected.

He assured the unions that salaries, pensions and statutory emoluments would remain protected, while other demands presented during the engagement would receive due consideration.

Adekanmbi also reiterated his commitment to listening directly to residents and using firsthand information from communities and stakeholders to shape policies and programmes.

On education, he outlined areas of proposed intervention including curriculum upgrades, digitalisation, e-learning and capacity-building initiatives for teachers and other education workers.

The engagement, therefore, went beyond political endorsement, bringing the concerns of those working within Oyo’s education system directly to the table.

For Adekanmbi, the message was clear: strengthening education requires not only better infrastructure and technology, but also a motivated workforce whose welfare and professional development are given sustained attention.

As the 2027 election approaches, the engagement has placed education workers and the future of Oyo’s schools firmly within the wider conversation about governance, continuity and development in the state.

MAJOR BOOST FOR APM: NATA OYO CHAPTER THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND MAKINDE, ADEKANMBI & APM CANDIDATES

Automobile Technicians Unite Behind APM Ticket, Declare Support for Seyi Makinde for President and Bimbo Adekanmbi for Oyo Governor

The political momentum around the APM in Oyo State has received a significant boost as the Oyo State Chapter of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) announced its support for the APM political family ahead of the forthcoming elections.

In a major show of solidarity, the association declared its support for Governor Seyi Makinde for President, Hon. Bimbo Abim Adekanmbi for Governor of Oyo State, as well as other APM candidates contesting various elective positions across the state.

The endorsement represents another notable show of support from a key professional and grassroots constituency whose members cut across communities, workshops and automobile service centres throughout Oyo State.

Speaking during the engagement, NATA members expressed their confidence in the leadership direction represented by the candidates, stressing the importance of continuity, effective governance, economic development and policies that positively impact ordinary citizens and working professionals

.The association’s support for Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi also signals growing confidence in his ambition to provide purposeful leadership and build on the progress recorded in Oyo State. Members noted the importance of having leadership that understands the realities faced by artisans, technicians, entrepreneurs and other members of the working population.

For the automobile technicians, the endorsement is about more than politics. It is also about ensuring that the voices and interests of artisans and skilled professionals remain part of the conversation about the future of Oyo State.

The NATA Oyo Chapter further pledged to mobilise its members and networks across the state in support of the APM candidates, demonstrating its commitment to the political direction it has chosen.

The development adds another layer to the growing mobilisation around the APM as different groups, professionals, youths and grassroots stakeholders continue to make their positions known ahead of the elections.

For the APM camp, the NATA declaration is being seen as a significant grassroots boost and another indication that the party’s message is resonating across different sectors of the state.

With the automobile technicians now joining the growing list of groups identifying with the APM ticket, the political landscape continues to witness increased mobilisation as the race gathers momentum.

From the workshops to the grassroots, the message from NATA Oyo Chapter is clear: their support is with Seyi Makinde for President, Bimbo Adekanmbi for Governor, and other APM candidates across Oyo State.

2027: OTG Storms Kazeem Bolarinwa’s Office, Donates Campaign Materials, Reaffirms Support for APM

The Oyo Treasure Group (OTG) has taken another strategic step towards strengthening grassroots mobilisation for the 2027 elections, as the group paid a solidarity and courtesy visit to the Director of Youth Mobilisation for the APM 2027 Gubernatorial and Presidential Election, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa.

The visit, which brought together members and supporters of the group, was marked by renewed enthusiasm, political engagement and a shared commitment to building a stronger mobilisation structure ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial and presidential elections.

The delegation was led by the Convener of Oyo Treasure Group, Com. Bolaji Oyewo, who used the occasion to reaffirm the group’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to the APM 2027 campaign.

In a major show of commitment, Com. Bolaji Oyewo donated campaign materials to Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa to support the party’s mobilisation and visibility efforts across the grassroots.

The gesture further demonstrated OTG’s determination to move beyond words and translate its support into practical contributions towards the success of the APM campaign.

Speaking during the engagement, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa welcomed the Oyo Treasure Group and expressed appreciation for the group’s support, particularly its commitment to youth mobilisation and grassroots engagement.

He noted that the success of any political movement depends largely on the strength of its grassroots structure, unity among stakeholders and the ability to connect directly with the people.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange ideas on strengthening youth participation, expanding grassroots networks and sustaining effective mobilisation ahead of 2027.

The visit by OTG is coming at a time when political groups and grassroots stakeholders are increasingly positioning themselves for the 2027 electoral contest.

With the donation of campaign materials and renewed commitment from its leadership, the Oyo Treasure Group has signalled its readiness to play an active role in the APM 2027 mobilisation drive.

As preparations continue, the collaboration between youth-focused groups, grassroots supporters and the APM campaign structure is expected to further deepen the party’s outreach and mobilisation across Oyo State.

From consultation to contribution, OTG’s latest engagement with Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa has once again put grassroots mobilisation at the centre of the road to APM 2027.

2027: Governorship, Assembly campaigns begin today

Official campaigns for the upcoming governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections across the country officially kick off today, September 8, in compliance with the schedule set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC schedule for the 2027 election indicates that public campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly positions officially commenced three weeks ago on August 19.

Today’s opening of the political space allows candidates vying for executive seats in 28 states and various state legislative constituencies to take their manifestos directly to the electorate through public rallies, media campaigns, townhall meetings and other platforms,

Checks by our correspondent reveal that major political organizations, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have fielded governorship candidates in all the 28 participating states.

However, despite the formal lifting of the ban on public campaigns, a persistent wave of administrative delay hangs over key political parties.

Nearly three weeks after national campaign activities were legally cleared to begin, several major political platforms have yet to establish or fully activate their campaign councils.

The APC, which recently announced the composition of its national campaign council, has been unable to inaugurate the body.

Sources within the party indicate that the delay stems from public pushback and internal complaints regarding the inclusion of certain controversial figures on the membership list.

The party leadership is currently reviewing these appointments and possibly expand the composition of the council before an official inauguration can take place.

Similarly, opposition parties—including the NDC, ADC, and PDP—are yet to inaugurate their central structures or state-level campaign committees.

Political analysts attribute this inertia to unresolved friction following party primaries, financial constraints, and ongoing negotiations surrounding tactical alliances ahead of the general polls.

With the 150-day campaign window now fully open for state elections, stakeholders expect a surge in political activities in the coming weeks as parties work to finalize their structures and mobilize grassroots voters across the federation.

Daily Trust reports that election will not hold in eight states: Imo, Ondo, Osun, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi, Ekiti and Anambra states as their election cycles differ from the general one.