Senator Arise rejects Ekiti APC primary result, seeks Tinubu’s intervention

Senator Ayodele Arise has rejected the outcome of the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary election for Ekiti North, labeling the exercise a sham that undermines democratic principles. Arise, a former senator and aspirant in the primary, has appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu for intervention.

The APC committee declared the incumbent, Cyril Fasuyi, as the winner. However, Arise, along with fellow aspirants Dipo Bamisaye and Dare Owolabi, alleges the process was manipulated and fraudulent. Arise stated that internal democracy remains a significant challenge for the ruling party, noting that guidelines are often circumvented.

"When we talk about internal democracy, it is still a very big challenge," Arise said. "It’s one thing for us to have a Constitution; it’s another thing for people to try to circumvent it or the guidelines for any election. That was demonstrated in no small measure when I tried to come back through the primary."

Arise expressed confidence that the APC's appeal panel would fairly review his petition. He stressed the importance of establishing guidelines to prevent misunderstandings of democracy, advocating for processes where voters genuinely choose their representatives. He also commended President Tinubu's proactive approach to addressing such challenges within the party and the electoral system.

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When we talk about internal democracy, it is still a very big challenge. It’s one thing for us to have a Constitution; it’s another thing for people to try to circumvent it or the guidelines for any election. That was demonstrated in no small measure when I tried to come back through the primary.