Senator Ayo Arise has firmly rejected attempts to impose a candidate in the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that only a transparent primary election can determine the party’s senatorial flagbearer in Ekiti.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Saturday, Arise made his position clear, declaring: “I’ve only told them I’m not agreeing to any crooked endorsement without going into the primaries.”
He dismissed claims of internal crisis within the governing party, maintaining that disagreements are limited to the process of candidate selection rather than any deep division.
“There is no quarrel in my party,” he said, while acknowledging controversies surrounding nomination procedures. “But I know there’s been a lot of controversy and questions on the issue of the position of INEC on the process for nominating candidates for election for 2027 offices.”
The former lawmaker criticised attempts by some party actors to bypass due process through endorsements, stressing that the rules are clear.
“The terms are very clear. It’s either consensus or direct primaries,” he stated.
Arise revealed that pressure had mounted for him to step down in favour of the incumbent senator, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, but he rejected such moves, insisting on a level playing field.
“All I told them is, look, it’s only the president that can tell me to step down, and no other person,” he said.
He added that he had directly engaged his rival, urging a fair contest: “Let us go to the primaries. Let’s test our popularity there.”
Reinforcing his stance, Arise challenged party stakeholders pushing for endorsement to allow voters decide, saying: “So let them defeat me on the field. And I will have no problems, you know.”
Addressing allegations that former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi is backing his ambition, Arise denied any such arrangement, describing himself as financially independent.
“For anyone to say somebody is sponsoring me, that means that person is giving me money to run,” he said. “I have been a nice city person, and I’ve been largely blessed. I’m not a hungry man.”
He also questioned the rationale behind calls for endorsement, arguing that it contradicts democratic principles and party guidelines.
“Endorsement is not part of what INEC has suggested. It’s only consensus,” he noted, explaining that where consensus fails, primaries must be conducted.
Beyond intra-party politics, Arise defended the record of the APC-led federal government, expressing confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership despite economic and security challenges.
“This is the only president in my lifetime that I know, when there is a problem, is looking for solutions. Nobody’s a magician,” he said.
Highlighting his own track record, Arise pointed to his previous tenure in the Senate as evidence of his capacity to deliver.
“When you talk about infrastructural development, I went to the Senate, I improved the life of my people, and I’m very proud of that,” he stated.
He maintained that his ambition is driven by service rather than personal gain, adding: “They are voting for my integrity, nothing more.”
On the political dynamics in Ekiti, Arise warned that attempts to impose candidates could backfire, especially with overlapping political interests ahead of upcoming elections.
“Why would you select somebody who is running against other people as your DG? For what?” he queried.
Reaffirming his resolve, he insisted that the party must adhere strictly to democratic processes, stating that any attempt to sidestep primaries would be resisted.
“If you by force put anybody on me, and I’ve made myself clear that I’m not agreeing to any kangaroo endorsement, then we will now go and look at the terms of the INEC policy and what the position says.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
