‘Arapaja Remains Our Legitimate National Secretary’ — PDP Chieftain
…Insists Arapaja’s mandate came from a legally recognized national convention
Southwest Ex-Officio of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amb. Adedipe Dauda Ewenla, has dismissed recent media reports questioning the legitimacy of Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja as the National Secretary of the party.
In a personally issued statement, clarifying that he was speaking in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the Party.
Ewenla described the publications discrediting Arapaja as “misleading” and “contrary to the true legal and democratic position of the PDP.”
According to him, Ambassador Arapaja remains the lawful National Secretary of the party, having emerged through a valid National Convention, which he described as the highest decision-making body of the PDP.
Ewenla stated that Arapaja has never at any time falsely paraded himself as National Secretary, insisting that he occupies the office legitimately and was duly elected by accredited delegates nationwide.
He also faulted individuals issuing letters against Arapaja, stating that their membership status within the PDP is in dispute, and therefore they lack the “moral, legal, or administrative authority” to speak on behalf of the party.
“A person who has been expelled or whose membership remains invalidated cannot claim the authority to represent a Party they no longer belong to,” he said, warning that such actions undermine internal democracy and the credibility of the PDP’s organizational structure.
Ewenla emphasized the importance of respecting due process and the party’s constitution, urging members to refrain from moves capable of creating factions or embarrassing institutions such as the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reaffirming his position, Ewenla maintained that Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja remains the valid and democratically elected National Secretary of the PDP.
He added that individuals with unsettled membership cannot issue directives or disclaimers on behalf of the party.
“I stand firmly for internal democracy, party discipline, justice, and respect for the rule of law,” he concluded.
