A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Ayo Arise has expressed optimism about his chances to cling the ticket of the Ekiti North Senatorial seat ahead of the Party’s primaries .
Senator Arise who is seeking return to the Red Chamber disclosed this while inauguration 7000 Canvassers across the district.
Speaking through the Director General of the Ayo Arise Campaign Organisation, Hon. George Fadipe, the APC hopeful dismissed the rumour making the rounds that a certain aspirant had been endorsed by the party.
Arise described the claim as false and a ploy to mask poor performance and disconnect from the grassroots.
The inauguration, carried out across Ido/Osi, Moba, Ilejemeje, Ikole and Oye local government areas, is part of a broader mobilisation strategy ahead of the party’s primary scheduled for May 22, 2026.
The mobilisation drive follows Arise’s recent tour of all 56 wards in the five local government areas, where he outlined his plans and programmes to party members as part of his campaign for a return to the Senate.
He explained that the structure comprises six canvassers per local government, six per ward across the 56 wards in the district, and an additional 10 canvassers per polling unit.
Meanwhile Hon Fadipe has.cited Arise’s track record, particularly during his previous tenure between 2011 and 2015, distinguishes him as a candidate with proven capacity.
According to him ,the facilitation of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti as a landmark achievement that has significantly improved the socio-economic development of the district.
He also dismissed rumours suggesting that a preferred candidate had already emerged through undisclosed arrangements.
“The party constitution and the Electoral Act clearly spell out the process for the emergence of candidates. Any attempt to bypass the due process is unrealistic and unacceptable,” he said.
Fadipe assured supporters of adequate protection against intimidation, insisting that the campaign remains focused on legitimate and democratic means of securing victory.
Also speaking, a former two-term chairman of Oye Local Government and Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Comrade Babatunde Ogunmilugba, urged the canvassers to be steadfast and proactive in mobilising party members.
He expressed confidence in Arise’s leadership qualities, noting his commitment to the welfare of the people and development of the district.
Ogunmilugba added that necessary support would be provided to ensure the canvassers effectively carry out their responsibilities.
Some of the canvassers, who spoke at the events, pledged to work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in them, while also urging party members not to be swayed by rumours of any alleged endorsement.