According to sources close to Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, who served as deputy governor of Oyo State, he is reportedly finalising his plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the run-up to the 2027 general election.
the former lawmaker met with President Bola Tinubu just hours before planning to defect.
Not only did Arapaja meet with Tinubu in Abuja two days ago, but on Tuesday he also met with other APC chieftains from Oyo State at his villa in Abuja.
Several prominent figures from the state, including Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, Mr. Adesoji Adedeji, who is running for deputy governor, and Hon. Aderemi Oseni, who is running for senator from Oyo South, were present at the meeting. Arapaja’s supporters and loyalists were also there.
According to those who were present at the meeting, its main focus was Arapaja’s intended defect to the APC.
Prior to Arapaja’s recent actions to join the APC, Makinde and Arapaja were both members of the same PDP faction.
Since the beginning of Makinde’s administration in 2019, Arapaja has maintained a tight relationship with him.
He was a former person who worked for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, first as Deputy National Chairman (South) and then as National Vice Chairman (South West).
Additionally, he is the National Secretary of a Makinde-aligned PDP group.
Originally from Idi Arere in Ibadan, Arapaja has reportedly been involved in politics since the beginning of the present fourth republic in 1999.
From 1999 to 2002, he was the chairman of the Ibadan South East local government area.