Ekiti North 2027: Arise rejects step-down calls, warns against imposition of candidates
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant for the Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayodele Arise, has ruled out stepping down for the incumbent lawmaker, Senator Cyril
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant for the Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayodele Arise, has ruled out stepping down for the incumbent lawmaker, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, warning party stakeholders against imposing candidates ahead of the general elections.
Arise, who spoke with journalists at the weekend, insisted he would only participate in a transparent primary process in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, rejecting any consensus arrangement allegedly being orchestrated within the party.
He maintained that the law recognises only direct primaries or consensus, stressing that any attempt to foist a candidate on the district under the guise of endorsement would be resisted.
“The terms are very clear. It is either consensus or direct primaries. Nobody should bring any name to my senatorial district because I am running. If we cannot all agree on consensus, then the primary election will settle it,” he said.
The former senator disclosed that he had already informed his campaign team of his intention to contest, citing his previous performance in the National Assembly as justification for seeking a return.
“I ran before and gave a very good account of myself. The people in the district understand what representation should be. My decision to return is based on the need to improve on what is currently obtainable,” he added.
Arise also expressed concern over what he described as “political gymnastics” by unnamed actors attempting to manipulate the process, warning that such moves could undermine internal democracy within the APC.
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He further questioned the performance of the incumbent, arguing that constituents deserve clarity on the value delivered by their representative before any consideration for a return ticket.
“People are asking: what has changed in their lives? Why should the same person be returned without accountability?” he queried.
On speculations that some stakeholders were pushing for an endorsement of Fasuyi, Arise dismissed the move as inconsistent with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Endorsement is not part of what INEC has suggested. It is either consensus, which must be agreed by all, or direct primaries. Anything outside that is not acceptable,” he said.
The APC stalwart further cautioned Governor Biodun Oyebanji against backing any aspirant, particularly the incumbent senator, warning that such a move could trigger what he termed “transferred aggression” that may affect the governor’s own electoral prospects.
He described Fasuyi’s role as Director-General in the governor’s political structure as inconsequential, arguing that it could even prove counterproductive.
“The governor has an election in June and does not need complications. You cannot make someone who is contesting against others your campaign DG. That could generate resentment and affect the outcome,” Arise said.
He added that imposing a candidate with what he described as “negative popularity” on the ground could provoke backlash among party members and voters.
Arise also dismissed claims that his ambition was being backed by former governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, insisting that he was financially independent and not a proxy for any political figure.
“I am not a hungry man. Nobody is sponsoring me. I have been an ICT professional and I am blessed. The narrative that I am someone’s candidate is false,” he said.
He recalled that despite contesting multiple times in the past, he did not enjoy preferential treatment under Fayemi’s administration, noting that the former governor had supported other candidates instead.
Arise explained that any perceived support from Fayemi or other leaders was based on their independent assessment of his suitability for the position, not sponsorship.
