Oyo 2027: Arapaja Picks PDP Expression Of Interest Form
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN — A leading governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has on Monday taken a significant step toward realising his ambition of becoming the next governor of the state under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by obtaining the party’s Expression of Interest form in Abuja.
Arapaja, who currently serves as the Interim National Secretary of the Makinde-backed faction of the PDP, is widely regarded as one of the frontline contenders to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027.
His decision to pick the form has already stirred political discussions within the ruling party amid growing permutations surrounding the emergence of a possible consensus governorship candidate.
The development comes just days after Arapaja was noticeably absent at the alliance meeting and unity rally organised by the PDP leadership in collaboration with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan last Thursday.
The rally, which attracted key political stakeholders and loyalists of Governor Makinde, was seen by many observers as part of ongoing efforts to consolidate support ahead of the 2027 governorship succession race.
However, Arapaja’s absence from the gathering has further intensified speculations about possible disagreements within the camp over the direction of the succession arrangement.
Sources familiar with the internal workings of the party disclosed that Arapaja is reportedly uncomfortable with moves allegedly aimed at adopting former Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, Abimbola Adekanmbi, as a consensus governorship candidate for the PDP.
Although the PDP leadership has yet to officially confirm any consensus arrangement, political observers believe the latest development indicates that the race for the party’s governorship ticket may become increasingly competitive in the months ahead.
Arapaja, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the PDP, remains one of the most influential figures within the party structure both in Oyo State and nationally.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Arapaja nor the PDP leadership had issued an official statement regarding the alleged consensus arrangement or the unfolding succession permutations within the party.