Arapaja Gains Ground in Makinde’s Base As Team Arapaja, Adelabu Foundation Members Join APC

Team Arapaja in Ibadan North-East Local Government and members of the Bayo Adelabu Foundation have declared support for Ambassador Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja, pledging to work for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The declaration represents a boost for the APC in Ibadan North-East, the local government of Governor Seyi Makinde, as Arapaja intensifies grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu, Oyo South Senator Sharafadeen Alli and other APC candidates.

The delegation, led by Mr Arimi Rasheed, included Hon. Kazeem Adedeji, Iyalaje Dupe Ganiyu and other political stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the Chairman of the Bayo Adelabu Foundation, Adeyemi Adetunji, said members had resolved to adopt Arapaja as their political leader after years of association with Adelabu and uncertainty about his current political direction.

Adetunji said the decision was informed by their confidence in Arapaja’s leadership and political experience.

The meeting was attended by several APC leaders, including Hon. Iyiola Ibrahim, candidate for the Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency; Hon. Akeem Olatunji Akogun; Hon. Azeez Alewure, the party’s chairman in Ibadan North-East; and Hon. Lawal Akindele Binladin, the local government’s campaign manager.

Others included Hon. Sina Olapoju, Hon. Sunday Babatunde, Hon. Bunmi Bankole, Hon. Monisola Tegbe, Banjo Bigger, Hon. Fadipe, Hon. Kamo Surveyor and Hon. Iyiola Mutairu.

Alewure commended Arapaja’s grassroots influence and assured the new members of an inclusive environment and a level playing field within the APC.

Ibrahim also praised Arapaja’s mobilisation strength, promising to provide accessible and effective representation, with a focus on constituency development, youth empowerment and public welfare if elected.

Akogun urged members to return to their respective wards and intensify mobilisation for all APC candidates, stressing the importance of unity and grassroots engagement ahead of the elections.

Speaking at the gathering, Arapaja recalled the role played by Ibadan North-East in his 2003 House of Representatives election, saying votes from the local government helped offset an estimated 2,000-vote deficit in Ibadan South-East and contributed significantly to his victory.

He thanked the people for their longstanding support, saying those who underestimated their political influence failed to appreciate the strength of grassroots mobilisation.

Arapaja also criticised political leaders who had previously opposed godfatherism but later adopted what he described as an emperor-like style of leadership. He argued that genuine leadership should be built on consultation, fairness and reciprocal loyalty.

“Only a fool would describe this kind of gathering as paperweight. We have only just started. We are determined to expand our structure and work towards a change of government in Oyo State,” he said.

Reflecting on the sacrifices he made during the 2019 political coalition, including spending weeks in Abuja, Arapaja urged members to put past differences aside and work collectively for the APC’s success.

He charged Team Arapaja and members of the Bayo Adelabu Foundation to return to their communities and mobilise support for Tinubu, Alli, Ibrahim and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Arapaja assured the members of his continued support, expressing confidence in their ability to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures across Oyo State.