Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has endorsed the deputy national chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, as the South West zone’s consensus candidate for the position of national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The endorsement, which emerged at a recent zonal stakeholders’ meeting convened by the governor, is seen as a major step toward strengthening party unity and resolving internal disputes ahead of the party’s upcoming convention.
Party sources described the decision as a strategic effort to consolidate the PDP’s base in the region, with Makinde’s leadership playing a key role in bridging lingering factional divides.
Arapaja, a former deputy governor of Oyo State and a close ally of Makinde, expressed appreciation for the endorsement, pledging to enhance the party’s organisational effectiveness nationwide.
“This support from Governor Makinde reaffirms our collective commitment to building a cohesive PDP ready to win elections,” Arapaja was quoted to have said.
The decision is expected to be ratified at the next South West PDP congress as the party continues to navigate consensus arrangements across its various zones.