Team Arapaja, a political group loyal to the former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, has called on the electorate and residents of Oyo State to disregard recent claims made by the APM gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi, ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a press release signed by Comrade Ibrahim Sheriff, the group described Adekanmbi’s recent public statements as a web of falsehoods aimed purely at currying cheap political favour.
Team Arapaja urged voters to closely examine Adekanmbi’s past administrative record before taking his declarations seriously.
The group highlighted his contentious tenures as Acting Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue and as Commissioner for Finance, alleging that staff under his leadership suffered widespread humiliation and mistreatment.
Furthermore, the statement referenced claims of financial impropriety during his time as Finance Commissioner, including allegations concerning ₦30 billion in local government funds—accusations the group claims Adekanmbi has yet to convincingly clear his name from.
Addressing Adekanmbi’s recent appearance on Fresh FM—where he accused the APC candidate of embezzling funds as former Ibadan North Local Government Chairman and claimed to hold damning evidence—Team Arapaja dismissed the claims as political mudslinging.
The group questioned why Adekanmbi failed to produce such evidence when Senator Sarafadeen Alli successfully contested elections in the past, including his victory in the 1996 senatorial election under UNPP and 2023 Oyo South Senatorial race.
Comparing Adekanmbi’s tactics to Governor Seyi Makinde’s 2023 debate performance—where Makinde made unsubstantiated claims against Senator Teslim Folarin—Team Arapaja warned voters to beware of politicians who throw serious accusations around without proof.
The statement also questioned Adekanmbi’s political allegiance, calling attention to his admission of associating with Governor Seyi Makinde for nearly seven years following the demise of his former boss, the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Team Arapaja asserted that this sudden shift was a defensive maneuver to shield himself from corruption inquiries directed at the Ajimobi administration.
Additionally, the group challenged Adekanmbi to address allegations that he leaked details regarding the Ajimobi family’s properties to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. “The Ajimobi family played a pivotal role in transitioning Adekanmbi from the private sector into public service. If he could betray his benefactor, can the people of Oyo State truly trust him with their future?” The group queried.
Concluding their statement, Team Arapaja urged the electorate to demand transparency and judge candidates strictly by their track record, integrity, and competence rather than empty promises. They challenged Hon. Bimbo Adekanmbi to come forward and publicly respond to all allegations with facts rather than rhetoric.
