A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Taofeeq Arapaja, has emerged the Southwest Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at a congress which held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Monday, April 12, 2021.
Arapaja, who was openly backed by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State had 343 votes while Eddy Olafeso, the candidate of the former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, lost.
Benson Abounu, Benue deputy governor, who represented his principal, Governor Samuel Ortom, as Chairman of the Electoral Panel, announced the result of the election.
Mr Abounu commended the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the contestants and the delegates for making the process free, fair and peaceful.
Makinde and Fayose have been on a warpath for quite some time now and the election was always going to be a supremacy battle between both warring politicians; and a referendum on who pulls the most weight in the southwest geopolitical region.
Makinde who became governor in 2019, fancies himself the de facto leader of the PDP in the southwest as the sole governor of the party in the region, a position Fayose completely detests, abhors and has fought publicly.
Hours before the election however, Makinde and Fayose made peace and promised to respect the outcome of the contest.
Fayose also finally accepted that Makinde is the leader of the PDP in the region.
Reacting to his victory, Mr Arapaja said both camps would work together to move the party forward.
“We thank Governor Seyi Makinde and Mr Ayo Fayose.
On his part, Mr Olafeso promised to work with Mr Arapaja to move the party forward.
“The storm is over, there is a new beginning for our party.
“We have to thank God almighty that despite odds, there is a new beginning for our party.
“The time is now. I thank everybody who supported me,” Mr Olafeso said.
