Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, is reportedly preparing to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources close to Arapaja said plans for his defection have been concluded following a series of political meetings in Abuja.
The move comes shortly after Arapaja met President Bola Tinubu in the nation’s capital. He also held a meeting on Tuesday with several APC leaders from Oyo State at his Abuja residence.
Among those present at the meeting were APC’s 2023 governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, former deputy governorship candidate Adesoji Adedeji, Oyo South senatorial candidate Aderemi Oseni, as well as some of Arapaja’s loyalists and supporters.
Sources familiar with the discussions said the meeting focused mainly on Arapaja’s planned move to the APC.
Until recently, Arapaja and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde were members of the same PDP faction and had maintained a close political relationship since Makinde became governor in 2019.
Arapaja previously served as the PDP National Vice Chairman for the South West and later as the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South). He is also the National Secretary of a PDP faction believed to be loyal to Governor Makinde.
A native of Idi Arere in Ibadan, Arapaja has been active in Nigerian politics since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
He served as Chairman of Ibadan South East Local Government between 1999 and 2002. He was later elected to represent Ibadan North East/Ibadan South East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007.
Arapaja also served as Deputy Governor of Oyo State under the late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala from 2007 to 2011.
His expected defection could reshape the political landscape in Oyo State as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 elections.
