Election: Blackmail cannot save Makinde from defeat, says Folarin

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, faces a fresh political clash as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin, launched a sharp attack on former deputy governor and current PDP (South) deputy national chairman, Taofeek Arapaja. The confrontation stemmed from Arapaja’s remarks on a live radio programme in Ibadan on Tuesday morning, where he allegedly used unprintable names for Folarin and other APC leaders.

In response, Folarin’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yekeen Olaniyi, issued a statement branding Arapaja a frustrated politician. The statement warned that no amount of blackmail or propaganda would protect Governor Makinde from defeat in the upcoming Saturday governorship poll. Olaniyi wrote, “I am a democrat, civil and responsible statesman in the state. Therefore, I won’t respond to blackmail, propaganda and irresponsible attacks from any politician. I want to confirm to the people of the state that Arapaja is under intense pressure following a gale of endorsements in my favour and continuous exodus hitting the ruling PDP and other opposition parties in the state.”

He added, “No amount of blackmail, propaganda and irresponsible attacks from Arapaja and his co‑travellers can save Seyi Makinde and other PDP candidates from imminent defeat in the March 18 elections. The assurance is that the Almighty God and the downtrodden masses are behind the Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project.” Olaniyi then highlighted Folarin’s experience, noting his three‑term representation of Oyo Central Senatorial District and his extensive tours of the state’s 351 wards.

Folarin’s platform, according to the statement, focuses on improving security, education, agriculture, health, youth and women empowerment, economic growth, civil servant welfare, pensioners’ benefits, local government autonomy, urban renewal, rural development, environmental cleanliness, and wealth creation. He concluded, “I have the capacity to do better than the current administration in the state. I urge the good people of the state not to listen to cheap blackmail, propaganda and irresponsible attacks. I have the capacity to deliver mass‑focused governance as the Executive Governor when elected.”