Governor Seyi Makinde reportedly invited former Deputy Governor Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja to appear before the Peoples Democratic Party screening panel days ago.
Sources close to the Governor said the invitation signals Arapaja’s emergence as the governor’s preferred candidate to succeed him and continue the Omituntun agenda in the state.
Arapaja, who currently serves as PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), is described by party insiders as a long-standing ally of the governor and a key figure within the party’s South-West structure.
The development follows earlier assurances by Makinde that the party at the Oyo South Senatorial Caucus meeting would unveil its governorship candidate yesterday and Hon. Arapaja might be his anointed candidate following his declaration of interest.
The process was delayed due to internal disagreements among stakeholders and the other gubernatorial aspirants.
The new development comes amid growing criticism over what some of the stakeholders describe as a contradiction in Governor Makinde’s earlier position that leadership should favour younger aspirants, particularly those below the age of 55.
Party leaders and loyalists have raised questions after the emergence of Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja as a prominent name in the governorship succession conversation. They argued that the move appeared to conflict with Governor Makinde’s previously stated preference for younger leadership, a stance that had shaped expectations among many aspirants and party supporters.
Recent reports also show that succession politics in Oyo have intensified, with several PDP figures repositioning for 2027.
The situation reportedly triggered resistance from supporters of Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo, as well as other interested stakeholders within the party which led to the postponement of the meeting. Odidiomo has already been identified in recent political events as one of the leading contenders in the unfolding succession battle.
Among those in the race are Bimbo Adekanmbi, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, and Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.
Despite the postponement, the governor appears resolute in his new stance and may soon unveil his preferred candidate.
