Ayo Arise Denies Defection Rumour, Pledges Loyalty to APC Ahead of Ekiti 2026 Governorship Poll

Former Senator Ayodele Arise has dismissed reports claiming he instructed his supporters to vote against the All Progressives Congress APC in the upcoming 2026 Ekiti governorship election.

In a press statement released and made available to The Harmattan News, the former lawmaker representing Ekiti North Senatorial District said he remains a committed member of the ruling party.

In his words, “It has come to my attention that some people have been spreading rumour that I have instructed my supporters to vote against my party, the APC,” Arise stated. “I wish to state categorically that I remain a member of the APC.”

Arise, who contested the APC Ekiti North Senatorial ticket for 2027, referenced the unresolved issues from the last primary election. He noted that the matter is being addressed by the APC national leadership.

The former senator also disclosed that he filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja with “credible evidence”, in case justice is delayed due to “biased” by one or two elements within the party hierarchy in Ekiti State.

Addressing insinuations that his meetings with some political stakeholders amounted to anti-party activity, Arise said his relationships with many Ekiti indigenes span over three decades.

“As a political and community leader in Ekiti State and Nigeria, I maintain cordial and personal relationships with many indigenes of the state, including some aspirants. This should not be misconstrued as working for any aspirant against my party,” he explained.

Senator Arise urged his supporters to remain calm and committed to the APC, while expressing high regard for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party leaders.

“Many of them have reached out to me for the success of the APC at the poll and I have pledged my commitment to the success of BAO at the polls,” he added, referring to Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

He concluded by thanking supporters who stood by him “before, during and after the primaries”, assuring them that “our mandate will be retrieved, and your hearts shall be gladdened”.

The disclaimer comes amid ongoing internal wrangling within APC Ekiti North, after Arise rejected the senatorial primary result that declared incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi winner. Arise had earlier alleged irregularities and demanded direct primaries instead of consensus.