The political camp of the 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has intensified speculation over an imminent defection from the party after his loyalists openly accused Governor Seyi Makinde of betrayal and resolved to follow Arapaja to any political platform he may choose.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by Arapaja on Sunday.
The meeting was attended by the PDP’s three senatorial candidates, 14 House of Representatives candidates and 32 House of Assembly candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The development comes amid growing political speculation that Arapaja, the Acting National Secretary of the PDP, is considering leaving the party, with reports linking him to possible talks with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State. Although neither Arapaja nor the APC has officially confirmed such a move, Sunday’s communiqué is likely to fuel the rumours.
In the communiqué, the candidates unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Arapaja, describing him as a leader of integrity with a rich political pedigree and reaffirming their total loyalty to what they called “Team Arapaja.”
The stakeholders, however, launched a blistering attack on Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing him of consistently sidelining party elders and disregarding those who contributed to the PDP’s successes in Oyo State.
They further alleged that the governor had repeatedly failed to honour political agreements reached with loyal party members, describing him as a leader who had betrayed those who worked for his emergence.
The forum also expressed concerns over the future of the PDP, arguing that recent court decisions had weakened the party and left it without a viable political future for many members.
As a result, the stakeholders advised Arapaja to discontinue his governorship ambition under the PDP and instead seek a more favourable political platform capable of protecting the interests of his supporters and offering better prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.
In what appeared to be the strongest indication yet of a possible political realignment, the candidates unanimously declared that their loyalty remained with Arapaja rather than the PDP, pledging to follow him to whichever political party he eventually joins.
“We remain united under Team Arapaja and are prepared to move with him wherever the interests of our people are best protected,” the communiqué stated.
The meeting also warned individuals described as former loyalists who had become critics of Arapaja, alleging that they were attacking him in exchange for political patronage from the Makinde administration.
The communiqué was signed by Barrister Micheal Lana Folorunso and Sunday Babatunde on behalf of the legislative candidates.
