The Chairman of the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige has commended the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for endorsing the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the People’s Democratic Party, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja as the South West consensus candidate for the position of the party’s National Secretary.
Hon. Akeem Ige gave the commendation while congratulating Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja on his endorsement as the South West consensus candidate ahead of the forthcoming national convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025 in Ibadan.
Ige stressed that Makinde’s choice of Arapaja has further testified to the fact that he (Gov. Makinde) is a leader who always scouts for people with competence, experience and absolute loyalty and puts such people in positions that will contribute to the growth and stability of the party and governance.
Ige added that considering Arapaja’s antecedents as a former council chairman, ex-parliamentarian, former Deputy Governor, former Nigerian Ambassador, former Vice-Chairman South West of the party and now Deputy National Chairman (South) and his long standing commitment to the ideal of the party, his presence in the National Working Committee as the National Secretary would not only further consolidate the South West’s influence at the national level but will also ensure that the party remains a formidable force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ige hinted that with Arapaja’s humility, diplomatic skills and bridge-building capacity among party members, his nomination as the National Secretary would no doubt boost his chance to clintch the party’s ticket to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde in the 2027 gubernatorial election in Oyo State.
While congratulating all the entire PDP in Oyo State especially in Ibadan South East Local Government where Arapaja hails from, Hon. Ige also solicited their support to rally round Governor Makinde to become the next president of Nigeria in 2027 so as to replicate the good governance in the country.
