Few hours to ward congresses of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State scheduled for today (Saturday), Governor Seyi Makinde has handed-over nomination forms for Ibadan South-East Local Government Area to the Southwest Zonal Chairman of the party, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja.
This newspaper reliably gathered that Governor Makinde released the form to Arapaja in the early hours of Saturday; a move considered to spite the Chairman of Pacesetter Transportation Company, Hon. Dare Adeleke, Hon. Adigun Agboworin representing Ibadan Ibadan Northeast/Ibadan Southeast Federal Constituency; Hon. Rasak Ademola Abdulahi representing Ibadan South East I state Constituency; Hon. Popoola Ademola Olusegun representing Ibadan South East II state Constituency and Hon. Kunmi Adesina.
Others affected by Makinde’s decision include nine serving councillors, all existing ward and local congresses as well as other chieftains of the party in the council area.
Reacting to the development, PDP Integrity Group (PIG) described Governor Makinde as an ingrate for always dumping those who helped him to power in 2019.
According to the group’s spokesman, Hon. Waheed Olansile said Makinde Makinde goofed for snatching party structure from those who laboured for his electoral victory.
Part of the statement reads:
“Governor Makinde is not only a betrayal of trust but also an ingrate. First, he failed to honour coalition agreement; now he is dismantling existing party structure in the state in favour of Arapaja who worked against him during the 2019 elections”.
“The governor is digging his political grave by turning PDP to his personal property. His first misstep was his choice of Arapaja as Southwest Zonal Chairman of our great party”.
“Arapaja is a nomadic politician who has been a member to three political parties within six years. He left PDP for Accord Party in 2014, then decamped to APC in 2017. He moved to ADC before 2019 elections.”
“During Arapaja’s stay in Accord Party, former governor Rasheed Ladoja gave him power to nominate Hon. Ademola Ige and Hon. Fatai Adesina as party’s house of assembly candidates in 2015 elections. Eventually, Arapaja betrayed High Chief Ladoja”.
“Similarly, late Abiola Ajimobi gave Ambassador Arapaja the power to choose Hon. Kayode Fagunwa as chairman of Ibadan South LCDA but he eventually betrayed the former governor. Today, Fagunwa and some of Arapaja’s followers are still in APC”.
“Immediately after 2019 elections, Arapaja rejoined the ruling PDP. Less than a year in our party, Makinde made him Southwest Zonal Chairman of PDP. The governor will regret his action by handing-over PDP structure in Ibadan South-East LGA to the former deputy governor. Just like he betrayed both Ladoja and Ajimobi, Arapaja will let down Makinde”.
The group cautioned that if Governor Makinde continues with his style of leadership and politicking, PDP may suffer electoral setbacks in 2023.
