PDP National Secretary Arapaja Reportedly Resigns From Party

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reportedly suffered another setback as its National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, is said to have resigned from the party and commenced moves to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to reports, Arapaja, who belongs to the Seyi Makinde-backed and Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP, held a meeting on Tuesday with the Oyo State APC governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, as part of consultations ahead of his planned defection.

Arapaja disclosed the meeting in a post shared on his Facebook page, stating that he had a private discussion with Alli and other APC stakeholders, including his running mate, Hon. Soji Michael Adedeji, and Hon. Aderemi Oseni, who represents the Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency and is the APC senatorial candidate for Oyo South.

He described the meeting as a productive engagement focused on unity, development and improving the welfare of residents of Oyo State, popularly known as the Pace Setter State.

According to reports, Arapaja has also met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of ongoing consultations regarding his possible move to the ruling APC.

The former Oyo State deputy governor previously served as the PDP National Deputy Chairman (South) before becoming the party’s National Secretary.

Meanwhile, the PDP has continued to witness high-profile movements in recent times, with several prominent figures either defecting or holding talks with rival political platforms.

In a related development, former PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 Sokoto State election, Sa’idu Umar Ubandoma, has officially joined the APC.

Ubandoma, who was a close ally of former Sokoto State Governor Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, was received into the APC by the party’s leader in Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, during a ceremony in Abuja.

The development was announced in a statement by Wamakko’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashar Abubakar.

Ubandoma, who served as Commissioner for Finance and later Secretary to the Sokoto State Government under the Tambuwal administration, said his decision to join the APC was influenced by Wamakko’s leadership qualities, political experience and inclusive approach to governance.