Ekiti APC NASS Primaries: Ayo Arise Condemns Rigging, Says Consequences Will Be Severe.

Former Ekiti North Senator Ayodele Ayo Arise has warned that any attempt to impose candidates in the All Progressives Congress [APC] National Assembly primaries in Ekiti State will trigger “maximum consequences” for the party.

Speaking at a press conference in Oye Ekiti, Arise, who is seeking to return to the Senate for Ekiti North, said he would not step down for incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi and insisted that the party must follow the law.

“The terms are very clear. It’s either consensus or direct primaries. Nobody should bring any name to my senatorial district because I am running. I will go through the process of direct primaries,” Arise stated.

He cautioned Governor Biodun Oyebanji against backing any form of imposition, saying such a move could backfire on the governor’s re-election prospects.

According to him, while Oyebanji has denied involvement, some individuals were still invoking the governor’s name to push certain interests in the district.

Arise described “kangaroo endorsements” and consensus arrangements without the agreement of all aspirants as undemocratic and a violation of the APC constitution and the 2026 Electoral Act.

He argued that only a transparent primary would determine the party’s candidate and prevent “transferred aggression” within the party.

“If I see anybody rigging, I will follow the person to jail,” Arise said in a separate interview, vowing to ensure free and fair primaries in Ekiti.

The warning comes as the APC concluded its senatorial primaries across Ekiti’s three districts on May 18, 2026. In Ekiti North, incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi defeated Arise and two other aspirants to secure the ticket, polling 14,179 votes to Arise’s 4,868.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emerged unopposed in Ekiti Central with 29,586 votes, while Senator Yemi Adaramodu won Ekiti South with 12,200 votes.

Arise had earlier rejected the consensus process, saying it was being pushed by aspirants lacking grassroots support who wanted to avoid open contests. He maintained that his consultations across Ekiti North showed strong support for his return to the Senate.

Youth groups in the state had also called on Oyebanji and APC leaders to uphold internal democracy and ensure credible primaries ahead of 2027.