One of the biggest talking points in Oyo State’s political circle at the moment is the startling revelation made by Hon. Dare Adeleke, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde, over Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja’s reported exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).The outspoken politician, who appeared as a guest on Parrot Xtra/Ayekooto, a political programme on Splash 105.5FM, Ibadan, anchored by Olayinka Agboola, disclosed that he had long warned Governor Seyi Makinde against throwing his weight behind Arapaja’s emergence as the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South).
According to Adeleke, he foresaw what he described as Arapaja’s betrayal and advised the governor against supporting his ambition.
“I told the governor not to do it because I believed he would betray the trust placed in him. Eventually, that was exactly what happened,” Adeleke said during the interview.
The governor’s aide did not stop there. He claimed that the reported political move by Arapaja only confirmed the fears he had expressed years earlier.
He further alleged that despite Arapaja’s reported decision to leave the PDP, he failed to attract significant political support.
“Nobody followed him, not even his personal assistant. He is a serial betrayer,” Adeleke declared.
Going further, Adeleke questioned Arapaja’s political consistency, alleging that the former PDP deputy national chairman had moved across several political parties during his political career.
Recalling Arapaja’s political journey, he said he had known him since the days of the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, adding that the former deputy national chairman had, at different times, pitched his tent with different political platforms.
According to him, such frequent political movements portray politics as a personal enterprise rather than a platform for genuine service to the people.
While criticising Arapaja, Adeleke reserved glowing words for Governor Makinde, describing him as a humble leader who listens to advice and remains focused on delivering democratic dividends to the people of Oyo State.
The interview also afforded Adeleke the opportunity to speak on the current political alignment between the Alliance Peoples Movement (APM) and the PDP.
He maintained that although he is officially a member of the APM, the alliance with the PDP remains intact, stressing that Governor Makinde’s loyalists remain committed to supporting his political direction.
Adeleke equally criticised politicians who retain membership of one political party while seeking elective offices on the platform of another, describing such actions as capable of creating unnecessary confusion within the country’s political system.
He also took a swipe at some prominent national politicians, insisting that party discipline and loyalty should always take precedence over personal ambition.
On the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Adeleke described the incident as unfortunate and painful, noting that such an occurrence was unprecedented during Governor Makinde’s administration.
He, however, urged politicians at all levels to embrace people-centred politics by prioritising the welfare of the masses over personal wealth and political interests
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