Oyo state candidate at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) south-west zonal congress, Taofeek Arapaja has emerged as the national Vice Chairman of the party in the region after he defeated his opponent Eddy Olafeso with 343 votes to 330 votes.

Arapaja defeated Olafeso in what was described as a keenly contested election in Osogbo, the capital city of Osun state on Monday 12 April 2021.

The Victory of the former Ambassador may have laid rest the internal wrangling within the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party in the southwest following the declaration of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose that Governor Seyi Makinde remains the leader of the party in the region.

The declaration was, however, followed by a peaceful and keenly contested election for the position of the vice-chairman of the party between Eddy Olafesi and Taofeek Arapaja contrary to the speculation in some quarters.

Both Makinde and Fayose prior to the election had in their separate remarks declared their readiness to accept the outcome of the election no matter the situation.

In his remark after the election, Arapaja says his preoccupation is to ensure peace and unity in the party as well a return PDP to its winning ways in the region and Nigeria at large.

Other party leaders stressed the need for unity of purpose in the party adding that the outcome of the congress will make the party stronger than before.

The total numbers of accredited delegates were 667 while the total numbers of voided votes were 10.