Supporters of the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, have distanced themselves from the reported plan by their leader to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring their continued support for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the PDP governorship candidate, Abimbola Adekanmbi.
The group, operating under the aegis of the Konge Ire Group, made its position known on Friday after a meeting held in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area.
The development comes hours after reports emerged that Arapaja was considering leaving the PDP for the APC following alleged disagreements over the party’s governorship primary and claims of marginalisation within Governor Makinde’s political camp.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the group praised Arapaja for what it described as his unwavering loyalty to Governor Makinde and his integrity throughout the internal struggle for the soul of the PDP in Oyo State.
While reaffirming Arapaja as their political leader, the loyalists insisted they would not follow him to the APC if he eventually defects.
”We are not following our leader to the All Progressives Congress. APC is a worse party for notable leaders like our principal to join. What did Senator Hosea Agboola achieve in the APC, and what have others who joined the party achieved? APC is not a party that promotes youth inclusion in party and governance affairs,” the group stated.
The supporters argued that remaining in the PDP was a better option than joining the APC.
”It is better to stay with the devil we know, who has done us good, than the devil we do not know and who may do us no good,” they said.
They also questioned the political future of Arapaja’s followers should the APC emerge victorious in the 2027 governorship election.
”Our leader should know that if the APC wins the 2027 Oyo governorship election, are we, his followers, going to get positions in government? Are we going to overtake the APC members we met in the party?” the group asked.
The loyalists, however, reaffirmed their respect and loyalty to Arapaja despite rejecting his reported political move.
”On this premise, we will not go with you to the APC, but you remain our leader, and we will not tolerate any insults against Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja from any quarter. We wish our leader the best of luck in his future political endeavours,” the communiqué added.
The group’s position signals an early crack within Arapaja’s political base over his reported defection, as many of his supporters appear determined to remain in the PDP and continue backing Governor Makinde and the party’s governorship candidate, Adekanmbi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of the time of filing this report, Arapaja had yet to publicly confirm or deny the reported move to the APC, while the Oyo State PDP leadership had also not reacted to the latest development.
