Makinde’s Longtime Ally, Taofeek Arapaja, Officially Joins APC

Former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Taofeek Arapaja, a longtime political ally of Governor Seyi Makinde, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), dealing another blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development was disclosed on Sunday by APC chieftain Ayekooto Akindele in a Facebook post accompanied by a video showing Arapaja at an APC gathering.

Arapaja, who until recently was a leading figure in the Makinde-backed faction of the PDP, had resigned from the party amid growing internal disagreements.

His move to the APC follows weeks of speculation after he reportedly held a meeting with Bola Tinubu in Abuja and later hosted prominent Oyo APC leaders at his Abuja residence.

A seasoned politician, Arapaja previously served as Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government before representing the Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007 on the platform of the PDP.

He later served as Deputy Governor of Oyo State under the late Adebayo Alao-Akala between 2007 and 2011 and also held the position of PDP Deputy National Chairman (South).

His defection is expected to reshape the political landscape in Oyo State as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.