By Engr. Olusina Olapoju, MSc, MNSE, MNICE, MNISAFETY.E, MNIEE, MNISTRUCT, R.COREN

A political debate over the relevance and record of Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja has taken a fresh turn, with Engr. Olusina Olapoju challenging Hon. Dare Adeleke to measure political relevance by verifiable records of service rather than rhetoric and personal attacks.

In a strongly worded response, Olapoju described Arapaja as a political figure whose career and public service record speak for themselves, contrasting his trajectory with what he described as Adeleke’s tendency to engage in political noise and criticism.

According to Olapoju, “When Arapaja speaks, history listens,” pointing to his experience across local government, the National Assembly, the Oyo State executive and international diplomacy. Arapaja served two terms as Chairman of Ibadan South-East Local Government, represented Ibadan South-East and Ibadan North-East in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, and served as Deputy Governor of Oyo State from 2007 to 2011. He was subsequently appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Iran and Jordan, serving from 2012 to 2015.

Olapoju argued that such a trajectory demonstrates a depth of political and administrative experience that cannot be reduced to social media exchanges or newspaper commentary. He described Arapaja as a politician who has built relationships across different levels of governance, from Molete to Abuja, while maintaining relevance within the political establishment.

The engineer also took aim at Adeleke’s record at Pacesetter Transport Service, arguing that anyone questioning another politician’s relevance should be prepared to subject his own public record to the same scrutiny. Recent public exchanges between the two camps have indeed centred on questions of political relevance, with Adeleke publicly criticising Arapaja and Arapaja’s camp responding by demanding evidence of Adeleke’s own achievements.

According to Olapoju, the difference between the two politicians should be judged by “service, experience, loyalty and measurable contribution,” rather than the volume of political commentary. He maintained that Arapaja’s career demonstrates a progression through several important public offices, including local government leadership, legislative representation, deputy governorship, diplomacy and national party administration.

“Arеpaja rose through loyalty, competence and name, while Dare fell through noise, incompetence and shame,” Olapoju stated, adding that the former deputy governor’s political journey had been built through years of engagement and service.

He further described Arapaja as an “Omoluabi par excellence,” insisting that the Ambassador’s political stature was the product of years of public service and relationships rather than a recent attempt to attract political attention.

Olapoju also questioned what he described as Adeleke’s attempt to diminish Arapaja’s political standing, stressing that political relevance should ultimately be determined by a person’s record, the offices held, responsibilities discharged and impact made over time.

“Tell the lapdog to stop barking at the lion,” Olapoju declared, using the phrase to underscore his argument that Arapaja’s political stature should not be measured against what he described as the more limited record of his critic.

He maintained that the political conversation in Oyo State should focus on records, achievements and the capacity of individuals to contribute meaningfully to governance and political development, rather than descending into personal attacks.

For Olapoju, the distinction is clear: “Arapaja na LEADER, Dare na Twitter loudspeaker.”

The statement comes amid renewed political activity in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 political cycle, with Arapaja having declared interest in the Oyo governorship race and highlighting his experience across local, legislative, executive, diplomatic and party leadership positions.

Olapoju concluded that those seeking to assess political leadership should look beyond rhetoric and examine the full record of the individuals involved, insisting that Arapaja’s decades-long journey in public service remains a significant part of the conversation about his political relevance.