Former lawmaker challenges primary results to safeguard internal party democracy and voting integrity.
Former Senator Ayo Arise, who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District, has instituted legal action against the All Progressives Congress to challenge the outcome of the recent National Assembly primary election in Ekiti State.
Speaking during a television interview, Arise stated that his decision to approach the Federal High Court was aimed at safeguarding the ruling party's internal democratic process rather than pursuing personal political ambition.
The aspirant rejected the victory of incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi, alleging that the announced results were manufactured, according to information published by The Sun Nigeria.
Ekiti APC primary election controversy and disputed votes
The APC election committee had declared Senator Cyril Fasuyi as the winner after polling 14,179 votes against Senator Ayo Arise, who scored 4,868 votes in the senatorial contest.
However, Arise rejected the figures, claiming they did not reflect the voting process witnessed across the various local government areas within the Ekiti North district.
His campaign team deployed drones and cameras to capture video evidence, anticipating possible irregularities and ensuring documentation of party members queuing behind preferred aspirants.
Legal action for internal party reforms
Arise approached the Federal High Court to prevent the statutory 14-day window for challenging the primary election from lapsing while waiting for intervention from party leadership.
He emphasized that his legal battle focuses on propriety, ensuring that the party obeys its own internal rules and allows members to seek justice when violations occur.
Despite the legal challenge, the former federal lawmaker maintained his continued membership in the APC and reaffirmed his strong political support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and economic indicators
Addressing rumors about stepping down, Arise stated he would have obeyed a direct instruction from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but no such communication was ever delivered to him.
He praised the federal administration's economic record, noting that the country's foreign reserves have increased significantly from about 3.something billion dollars to 55.25 billion dollars.
Arise concluded that the challenge facing internal party democracy is a broader issue affecting Nigeria's entire political system rather than a problem unique to the APC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Senator Ayo Arise institute legal action against the APC?
Senator Ayo Arise went to court to challenge the Ekiti North Senatorial primary results, aiming to safeguard internal party democracy, correct systemic flaws, and ensure the party obeys its own rules.
Who won the APC National Assembly primary election in Ekiti North?
The APC election committee declared incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi the winner with 14,179 votes, defeating Senator Ayo Arise, who officially scored 4,868 votes.
What evidence did Senator Arise present regarding the primary election?
Arise claimed his campaign deployed drones and cameras across wards to record video evidence, showing that actual voting patterns contradicted the final figures announced by the party.
Does Senator Arise still support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?
Yes, Senator Arise reaffirmed his loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that his legal dispute is strictly with the conduct of the primary election in Ekiti State, not with the presidency.
