PDP convention: Osun finally loses out as Arapaja floors Oyinlola to emerge party's deputy national chairmanPAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed! FCT, Abuja - The Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday, October 30, lost out at the national convention of the party held at the Eagles Square, Abuja. Legit.ng reports that a former deputy governor of Oyo state, Taofeek Arapaja, defeated the sole candidate from Osun state and a former governor of the state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola to become the deputy national chairman (south) of the party. Recommended for you BREAKING: Court sends Okorocha's ex-commissioner to prison Arapaja, an ally of Governor Seyi Makinde, garnered 2,004 votes to defeat his only opponent, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who polled 705 votes. It was gathered that there was wild jubilation at the Eagle Square venue of the PDP Convention in the early hours of Sunday, October 31, when the result of the election was announced. PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates! A total of 165 votes were declared invalid. The result of the election was announced by the electoral officers at 3:32 am after about two hours of sorting and counting. Oyinlola had been tipped to win the keenly contested election. He was the party’s national secretary. Arapaja enjoyed the support of Makinde, who is the secretary of the convention planning committee. The former Oyo deputy governor is currently the national vice-chairman (southwest) of the PDP. He was elected into that office after he defeated the former occupant of the position, Eddy Olafeso, with 343 votes to 330. Recommended for you INEC chairman releases list of states where governorship elections will not... Olafeso was eyeing the position of the national publicity secretary of the PDP at the ongoing convention but was disqualified by the screening committee on the ground that he instituted a case against the party. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Oyinlola vowed that he would not step down for the preferred candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the position of deputy national chairman (south), Taofeek Arapaja. It was reported that the efforts of the leaders of the party failed to persuade Oyinlola to withdraw from the contest as of the time voting commenced at 5 pm. The stakeholders, especially the party’s governors, have adopted Arapaja as consensus candidate for the position, a decision Oyinlola has vowed to resist. Also, Inna Ciroma, who is contesting for deputy national chairman (North), has also stuck to her guns, resisting pressure to step down for her male contender, Umar Damagum. Source: Legit.ng A former deputy governor of Oyo state, Taofeek Arapaja, has emerged as the deputy national chairman (South) of the PDP Arapaja, who polled 2,004 votes defeated a former governor of Osun state, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who polled 705 votes at the party's national convention Oyinlola had earlier on Saturday, October 30, said he would not step down for Arapaja who was backed by Governor Seyi Makinde PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed! FCT, Abuja Legit.ng Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates! Legit.ng