Former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has come under intense criticism online following his recent explanation of his decision to leave the political camp of Governor Seyi Makinde and return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking after the Oyo State APC leadership visited him in Ibadan, Arapaja described his return to the party as a “long-awaited homecoming.” He explained that loyalty and reciprocity had influenced his political decision, while expressing disappointment with his previous political alignment with Makinde. He also pledged his support for the APC and its candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
His remarks have, however, generated a strong reaction from social media users, particularly because of his previous relationship with Makinde.
Arapaja was once an outspoken supporter of the governor. In 2022, while serving as PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), he publicly described Makinde’s administration in highly positive terms and urged Oyo PDP members to support the governor’s bid for a second term.
Makinde's support for Arapaja within the PDP was also publicly documented during the party's South-West leadership contests. Reports at the time identified Arapaja as Makinde's preferred candidate, and Arapaja subsequently rose to senior positions within the PDP structure.
That history has become the focus of the latest online backlash, with critics questioning when exactly Arapaja's regret began.
Some of the comments circulating online include:
«“You didn’t regret when you were eating and dining together on the same table, you didn’t regret when Seyi Makinde was nominating you for different positions in PDP. Now the PDP food has empty and the table have turned. O selu omo wereey. Your political retirement is almost near😅”»
Another commenter wrote:
«“When Makinde supported your rise to Deputy National Chairman (South-West) and later National Secretary of the PDP, there was no regret. Why the regret now? Arapaja should explain when exactly it began—when the support stopped serving your interests, when expectations changed.”»
Another reaction stated:
«“Record Check, Seyi Makinde supported Arapaja to become Deputy National Chairman (South-West), then Deputy National Chairman (South), then PDP General Secretary. If that support is now a regret, what does loyalty mean?”»
One commenter questioned the timing of the disagreement:
«“Arapaja should tell us: At what point exactly did the regret start? When the car was given? When the party structure was given to you? Or when your personal ambition was no longer guaranteed?”»
Another said:
«“This is not about regret, it's about ambition. When personal interest is no longer served, some people rewrite history and paint the other bad. Politics and weed na 5&6 when election is close”»
Other comments were even more direct:
«“You cannot claim regret for a partnership that gave you cars, platforms, and political elevation. That is not regret, that is ingratitude.”»
«“For 8 years, there was no regret. Now that 2027 is close, there is regret. Nigerians understand this script”»
«“If supporting Seyi Makinde in 2019 and 2023 was a regret, was the support you got in return also a regret?”»
Some commenters also cautioned against turning personal political disagreements into broader assessments of governance:
«“Una dey see wetin political leaders dey talk because of relevance.
Please don’t bring selfish and personal disputes into political space and tarnish one’s achievements.”»
Another wrote:
«“Leadership is about consistency. You cannot benefit from a man for years and then publicly disown him because of your next ambition.”»
And another asked:
«“Regret is easy to claim when the plate is empty. Where was this regret when you were dining on the same plate with Makinde?”»
Some of the comments became openly abusive, including:
«“A very useless man ! Seyi brought this political deadman to live oo, seyi carry am for head but the werey stabbed seyi for back con deh yarn rubbish. Old fools too much for this country sha”»
Another commenter wrote:
«“ARAPAAAAAA! ARIJE NINU MONDARUUU. MR ALATENUJE OF ÒJÉ MARKET.😂”»
Others questioned Arapaja’s criticism of Makinde's administration:
«“‘Accuses Him of Deceit and Ingratitude’»
«what bout the good governance old fool ?»
«They only care bout themselves. Nigerians will wake up one day ! Have fun.”»
One commenter also linked the dispute to previous PDP tensions:
«“Arapaja was one of the reasons seyi had issues with fayose,the same arapaja is saying this”»
Another wrote:
«“This Arapaja is a moron, he fight for you to get Deputy national chairman that's making Fayose see Makinde has enemy today. You wey people don forget say u still dey alive not to talk of been a deputy Governor before. You be fool.”»
The online reactions highlight how dramatically political relationships can change as parties and alliances reposition themselves ahead of an election cycle.
For Arapaja, his latest comments represent a significant departure from the strong public support he once expressed for Makinde. For his critics, however, the central question remains whether the present disagreement should be viewed primarily through the lens of political principle, loyalty, governance or changing political interests.
With the 2027 political realignment already taking shape, the Arapaja-Makinde fallout is likely to remain one of the talking points in Oyo State politics.
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