Your Blackmail, Propaganda Won’t Save Makinde – Teslim Folarin Fires Arapaja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, has knocked former deputy governor and current deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, for attacking him during a radio programme.

Naija News gathered that Arapaja, who featured on Dende Oro anchored by Abolade Salami on Fresh FM 105.9HZ, had berated Senator Folarin and other political heavyweights in the state.

But reacting on Tuesday through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, YSO Olaniyi, said the former deputy governor was a frustrated politician, adding that his blackmail and propaganda won’t get Governor Seyi Makinde reelected at the upcoming elections.

According to the former Senate leader, Arapaja is under a lot of pressure following the defection of top PDP chieftains from the party.

According to the statement, “I am democrat, civil and responsible statesman in Oyo State. Therefore, I won’t respond to blackmail, propaganda, and irresponsible attacks from any politician. However, I want to confirm to the people of Oyo State that Mr. Taofeek Arapaja is under intense pressure following a gale of endorsements in my favour and continuous exoduses hitting the ruling PDP and other opposition parties in the state.

“No amount of blackmail, propaganda and irresponsible attacks from Mr. Arapaja and his co-travelers can save Engr. Seyi Makinde and other PDP candidates from imminent defeat on March 18th elections. The assurance is that the Almighty God and the downtrodden masses are behind Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo 2023 project.

“With due respect to other candidates, I remain the most experienced public administrator and closest to the grassroots, having represented Oyo Central Senatorial District for three terms with verifiable track records of achievements and toured 351 wards of Oyo State on countless occasions.

“I am contesting the governorship seat of Oyo State to holistically improve security, education sector, agricultural sector, health sector, empowerment and employment of our youths and women, to grow our economy, the welfare of civil servants and pensioners, to ensure local government autonomy, urban renewal and rural developments, clean environment, wealth creation and lots more.

“I’ve the capacity to do better than the current administration in the State led by the outgoing governor Seyi Makinde.

“On a final note, I urge the good people of Oyo State not to give in to cheap blackmail, propaganda and irresponsible attacks. I have the capacity to deliver masses-focused governance as Executive Governor when elected. Besides, let us take full advantage of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidency by voting en-masse for APC this coming Saturday. A vote for APC is for Itesiwaju Ipinle Oyo.”