Reports reaching DAILY POST from the camp of a former deputy governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja indicate that Arapaja has perfected plans to join All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

DAILY POST gathered that the planned defection is coming a few hours after the former lawmaker met President Bola Tinubu. 

Arapaja met Tinubu in Abuja two days ago, after which he also met some chieftains of APC from Oyo State at his residence in Abuja on Tuesday. 

The meeting was attended by the gubernatorial candidate of APC in the state, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, deputy gubernatorial candidate, Mr Adesoji Adedeji and Oyo South Senatorial candidate of the party, Hon Aderemi Oseni, Arapaja’s loyalists and supporters and other notable personalities from the State. 

Sources at the meeting disclosed it centered on the planned defection of Arapaja to APC. 

Both Makinde and Arapaja belong to the same faction of PDP until recent moves by Arapaja to join APC. 

Arapaja has been a close ally of Makinde since inception of his administration in 2019. 

He had earlier served as National Vice Chairman (South West) and later served as Deputy National Chairman (South) for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. 

He also serves as National Secretary of a PDP faction loyal to Makinde. 

DAILY POST reports that Arapaja who hails from Idi Arere in Ibadan has been in active politics since the inception of this current fourth republic in 1999. 

He served as Chairman of Ibadan South East local government area between 1999 and 2002. 

Arapaja represented Ibadan North East/ Ibadan South East federal constituency on the platform of PDP between 2003 and 2007 and later served as Deputy Governor when late Adebayo Alao-Akala was the Governor between 2007 and 2011. 

Osun State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, has urged residents to remain security conscious in view of the prevailing security challenges across the country.

The agency also called for greater collaboration with traditional institutions to promote peaceful civic engagement ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The State Director of the agency, Adebiyi Adefarasin Stephen, made the appeal on Tuesday during an advocacy visit to the Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, where he led the agency’s management team on a sensitisation programme.

Adefarasin said the visit formed part of efforts to mobilise traditional institutions in support of voter education and to encourage peaceful participation in the electoral process before the 2026 governorship poll in Osun State.

He also stressed the importance of traditional rulers in promoting civic responsibility, peaceful participation and national values at the grassroots, describing them as critical partners in community mobilisation.

The delegation comprised Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers, COMOs, from Iwo, Ayedire and Olaoluwa Local Government Areas, alongside the second-in-command of the WAI Brigade, Osun State Command.

According to the NOA director, the advocacy visit also provided an opportunity to sensitise the palace on the agency’s flagship National Values Charter, aimed at strengthening patriotism and responsible citizenship.

“The people of Osun State should remain security conscious in view of the current security realities in the country. We urge residents to embrace peaceful coexistence and active civic participation,” he said.

Responding, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama commended the National Orientation Agency under the leadership of Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, for initiating the advocacy programme.

The monarch pledged the support of the Kuta Kingdom towards ensuring a peaceful, credible and values-driven governorship election in Osun State. 

He also called on the Federal Government to prioritise funding for the agency as a first-line charge to enable it to discharge its mandate effectively and efficiently.

The advocacy visit forms part of the NOA’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders across Osun State to strengthen voter education, promote national values and encourage peaceful participation in the 2026 governorship election.

Demola Olarenwaju, Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has described the embattled former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai as a unique Nigerian politician.

Olarenwaju explained that El-Rufai is unique because of his clear headedness and strategic thoughts.

Posting on X, he noted that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission, ICPC, would soon have no excuse for detaining him.

The former governor and a chieftain of the ADC has been held in detention by the ICPC since February 19, 2026.

On April 13, the ICPC took the former governor to a Kaduna high court with a revised set of nine charges related to alleged fraud and misuse of office.

El-Rufai is currently undergoing judicial trial amid health challenges and the arrest of his personal physician.

However, Olarenwaju wrote: “What makes El-Rufai unique in Nigeria’s politics is his clear headedness and depth of strategic thought with tactical implementational balance.

“He is not only a planner but if nobody will do the dirties, my man will off his white and enter the mud himself. Hate to love him.

“They will eventually run out of excuses to keep holding the man and then the nakedness of their hypocrisy will become too glaring to be concealed from and ignored by the outside world. Till then, it’s solidarity and courage.”