The brewing political storm in Oyo State assumed a dramatic dimension over the weekend as the National Leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Comrade Akinpelu Adesina, openly declared former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, as the only legitimate and authentic gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. Speaking during an explosive, one-on-one interview with prominent broadcast journalist Peter Olasupo, the OPC heavyweight fiercely criticized Ambassador Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the former Deputy Governor as a “political parasite” and an executive “stooge” whose exit is a good riddance to the ruling party.

Comrade Adesina asserted that the mainstream structures of the PDP remain firmly behind Hazeem Gbolarumi, noting that Arapaja’s disgruntled parallel calculations were born out of unbridled anger after failing to hijack the party’s machinery. The OPC leader stated that Arapaja and his close allies were fully aware that Gbolarumi represents the authentic choice of the party’s foundational members, but they chose to mislead their followers out of a desperate desire to grab power. Adesina stressed that the former diplomat lacks genuine leadership quality, emphasizing that his entire political journey has been marred by an insatiable appetite for free government patronage and an inability to build independent structures.

Reflecting on the relationship between Governor Seyi Makinde and the embattled former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Comrade Adesina described Arapaja as an absolute executive puppet who allowed himself to be used to suppress other leaders who labored to build the party. He told Olasupo that any politician who willingly functions as a mere tool or “machinery” for an incumbent administration automatically forfeits the moral right to independent political leadership. Adesina further alleged that Arapaja’s recent high-ranking positions within the PDP hierarchy were entirely sponsored and bankrolled by Governor Makinde, adding that the governor eventually rubbished and dismissed him. To highlight Arapaja’s complete lack of grassroots weight, the OPC chieftain pointed out that during the recent local government selections, the former deputy governor could not secure anything beyond four councilors in the entire South East Senatorial District, while the governor single-handedly handpicked the council chairmen.

Comrade Adesina also severely criticized Arapaja’s political pedigree, reminding the public that his entire career was built on the unmerited benevolence of the late strongman of Ibadan politics, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. Adesina described Arapaja’s rapid rise from the zero-party era to becoming a federal lawmaker and deputy governor as a political “scholarship” given solely out of respect for Arapaja’s father, who was Adedibu’s close friend. He bitterly rebuked the former ambassador for turning his back on his roots and failing to visit the Adedibu household since the patriarch passed away, while also slamming his hypocritical alignment with Sarfa Ali, whom he described as a merchant’s son. Adesina expressed deep anger that Arapaja could comfortably form alliances with Sarfa Ali after openly insulting the royal father just days prior.

Dismissing Arapaja’s high-profile defection to the APC as the movement of a “dead weight” or a “dead chicken,” the OPC leader warned that the defector will find no easy money or free rides in his new political home, as the APC environment requires rigorous grassroots mobilization before earning any patronage. He alleged that Arapaja and his close associates have a notorious history of pocketing election logistics funds meant for hard-working grassroots members. Adesina concluded the explosive chat by affirming that Ibadan belongs to all its citizens and cannot be held to ransom by political opportunists who cannot deliver votes in their own local constituencies, advising the defectors to be humble and accept that the PDP remains secure under its authentic leadership.