A major political development capable of reshaping Oyo State’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections has emerged as all the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislative candidates in the state have declared their readiness to follow Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja to any political platform he chooses should he eventually leave the party. The position was contained in a communiqué issued on Monday after a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan and hosted by Ambassador Arapaja, the party’s Acting National Secretary, with the PDP’s three senatorial candidates, 14 House of Representatives candidates and 32 House of Assembly candidates in attendance.
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According to the communiqué, the legislative candidates unanimously advised Ambassador Arapaja not to pursue his 2027 governorship ambition under the PDP, describing the party as “practically defunct” following its lingering internal crisis and recent legal developments. They instead urged the former deputy governor to lead them to a new political platform where they believe their collective political aspirations and the interests of the people of Oyo State would be better protected.
The communiqué, jointly signed by Barr. Michael Folorunsho Lana, Hon. Ogunsina Muritala Niyi, Hon. Peter Olusina Olapoju and Hon. Sunday Babatunde, accused Governor Seyi Makinde of persistently sidelining party elders and stakeholders who laboured for the PDP’s success in the state. The candidates further described the governor as a “serial betrayer,” alleging that he repeatedly failed to honour political agreements reached with party leaders and loyalists.
Arapaja’s Leadership Is Beyond Any Local Government – Our Loyalty Is to the Man Who Has Earned It
The forum also maintained that recent court judgments have significantly weakened the PDP at the national level, leaving members uncertain about the party’s future. Reaffirming their unwavering loyalty to “Team Arapaja,” the legislative candidates pledged to follow the former diplomat to any political platform he eventually adopts, declaring: “We, the legislative candidates of the PDP, remain united and resolute to work under the name of TEAM ARAPAJA. We stand ready to transition and mobilize toward a new political dawn that guarantees equity, justice, and progress for the people of Oyo State.”
The stakeholders also cautioned individuals described as former Arapaja loyalists who have now become critics, urging them to desist from what they termed sustained attacks against the PDP chieftain over alleged political inducements from the Governor Makinde-led administration. The latest development is expected to intensify political realignments in Oyo State as permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
