Politics
Oyo: ‘Arapaja is like a pig ready to go into the mud to defend meal ticket’ – Lanlehin
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Oyo state, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Wednesday, reacted to comments made on a radio programme by the Deputy National Chairman (South), of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Taofeek Arapaja describes them as eccentric, ridiculous and provocative, though not unexpected from a character like the PDP chieftain.
Former Senator Lanlehin, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by his Media Bureau, and made available to newsmen noted that such comments, particularly those directed at him weren’t the first, and won’t probably be the last, as the PDP chieftain, being a politician without class and candour, is like ” a pig, ready and willing to go into the mud, in defence of his meal ticket”, irrespective of whomsoever he disparages, in the process of doing so.
“Amb. Arapaja, being an appointee of Governor Makinde, is ready to go to war in defence of his principal, on one hand, and in the protection of his access to the perks of office, on another. If not, what will make him come on air to tell terrible lies, insult his elders and conduct himself arrogantly, to the chagrin of right-thinking fellows, and the egging on, of his bag carriers, even to the point of the now-deleted videos from the interview, advertised him as furious and utterly venomous? Only God knows what he would have done had he seen his principal’s opponents face to face!
“In validating his claim that Candidate Makinde (as he then was) gave Senator Lanlehin money, he alluded to maintenance works being carried out in his (Lanlehin) house, when he (Arapaja) visited. How he thinks a man of Senator Lanlehin’s standing couldn’t renovate his abode without external help is most unfortunate, and highly sinister.
“For the records, not being a governorship candidate, nor a campaign director-general, Arapaja was not, and could not, have had a front row seat in the coalition arrangements which birthed the Makinde government; whatever he must have been privy to, were mere eavesdroppings or second-hand tales.
“To therefore insinuate that Governor Makinde gave Senator Lanlehin money can be likened to the illustrious words of Williams Shakespeare in Macbeth, as “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”.
“Instead of Arapaja to act as Governor Makinde’s spokesperson, telling outlandish lies about matters he knows next to nothing about, Senator Lanlehin would rather challenge the governor to publish details of whatever money he ever gave him, or better still, instruct his leaches, the type of Arapaja, to keep shut, instead of fouling the waters of decent politics Senator Lanlehin reputedly plays”, the statement said.
Lanlehin, who once represented Oyo South Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, however, urged Arapaja, not to take the imminent loss of his boss – which has unexpectedly made him furious, venomous and irritational – to heart.
“He, instead, should only encourage his boss to start writing his handover notes, as the good people of Oyo State were ready to vote out an incompetent government built on lies and propaganda, and vote in a compassionate and charismatic personality, in the person of Senator Teslim Folarin”, it added.
Amb. Arapaja, Senator Lanlehin remarked, deserves the pity of the good people of Oyo State, instead of the opprobrium which should naturally follow his hollow outbursts.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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