FLASH: Makinde Political Ally, Arapaja Set To Join APC Ahead 2027

Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and National Deputy Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has reportedly parted ways with Governor Seyi Makinde’s political camp and he is set to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), if impeccable party sources are to be believed.
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‎According to Goalpoacher News, Arapaja recently met with President Bola Tinubu as consultations over his proposed move gathered momentum.
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‎According to sources familiar with the development, Arapaja is expected to resign next week from his position in Governor Makinde’s faction of the PDP before formally announcing his next political move.
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‎Multiple sources told Goalpoachernews that the former deputy governor’s decision was informed by his growing dissatisfaction with the way Governor Makinde handled the governorship primary that produced Abimbola Adekanmbi.
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‎One source alleged that Arapaja was denied a level playing field during the primary process and became increasingly sidelined after the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate.
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‎”After the primary, he was treated with disdain and disrespect. That was when he realised he was no longer relevant in the political structure,” the source claimed.
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‎Another source, described as a chieftain of the PDP/APM alliance in Ibadan, alleged that Arapaja had been politically diminished within the Makinde camp.
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‎The source further claimed that the withdrawal of Arapaja’s security personnel by the state government heightened concerns about his personal safety and became the immediate trigger for his decision to seek a new political platform.
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‎”He believes he needs to move to where his security and political future can be guaranteed,” the source said.
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‎The source also alleged that appointments and political positions previously allocated to Arapaja’s loyalists during Governor Makinde’s first term were withdrawn in the administration’s second term.
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‎According to the source, while Bisi Olopoeyan and Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) allegedly secured 32 and 22 supervisory councillor positions respectively across the state’s 33 local government areas, Arapaja’s camp was left without any such appointments.
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‎As of the time of filing this report, neither Arapaja nor Governor Makinde has reacted to the claims, while the PDP had yet to issue an official statement on the reported defection.