Deputy Gov Candidate Open Salawu Donates ₦15m to 2026 Rabitah Conference -

The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Engr. Muftau Open Salawu, has donated ₦15 million in support of the 2026 Rabitatul Aimmat Wal Ulamai Fi Bilaadi Yoruba (League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland) Conference scheduled to hold in Ibadan.

Open Salawu also donated an additional ₦1 million to the delegation of Islamic scholars as personal support.

The APM deputy governorship candidate, who is the Giwa Adinni of Oyo State and Babalaje of Ogbomosoland, announced the donations on Tuesday when he received the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakry Agbotomokekere, and other prominent Imams, Alfas and Islamic scholars from across Yorubaland.

The delegation visited Open Salawu as part of preparations for the Yorubaland Muslim Conference, Ibadan 2026, scheduled to take place from November 13 to 16 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan.

Speaking during the visit, members of the delegation commended Open Salawu for his contributions to Islamic development and described him as a major supporter of the Muslim community in Oyo State.

They highlighted several interventions attributed to him, including the construction of the Central Mosques in Ilajue, Surulere Local Government Area, and Olokoto, Oriire Local Government Area, as well as the construction of mosques in Ile-Ogiri and Tara in Ogbomoso.

The delegation also mentioned his support for the foundation of the Ikoyi Central Mosque, roofing of several Jumat mosques, initiation of Itikaf at the Ogbomoso Central Mosque and sponsorship of feeding for 100 participants annually since 2023.

According to them, Open Salawu has also supported Ramadan feeding programmes, with about 9,000 people reportedly fed every Ramadan over the past eight years, while Muslim and Christian programmes have been sponsored on Parrot FM, Ogbomoso, for more than a decade.

The Islamic scholars formally invited Open Salawu to the three-day conference, which they said would provide a platform for intellectual discourse, spiritual reflection and discussions on issues affecting the Muslim community and society.

They said the conference would bring together Islamic scholars, community leaders, government officials and other stakeholders to deliberate on peace, unity, education, moral leadership, youth development and the strengthening of religious and community institutions.

Among the issues expected to feature at the conference are the role of Imams in purifying Islamic pulpits and the responsibilities of political leaders ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Expected special guests include Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde; Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal; and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, among other dignitaries.

Responding, Open Salawu thanked the League of Imams and Alfas for the invitation and commended the organisers for sustaining the conference as a platform for dialogue and engagement among Muslim leaders across Yorubaland.

He assured the delegation of his presence at the conference and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives focused on Islamic development, education, youth empowerment, peaceful coexistence, unity and the wellbeing of the people.

Open Salawu expressed confidence that the conference would provide an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and collective action on issues affecting the Muslim community and the wider society.

He prayed that Allah would grant the organisers wisdom, reward their efforts and make the conference successful.

The delegation subsequently offered prayers for Open Salawu, his family and his political aspirations.