Ex-Senator Ayo Arise has rejected moves to adopt a consensus candidate for the Ekiti North Senatorial District, insisting on a transparent primary election within the All Progressives Congress.
Arise made his stance known during a rally in Oye Local Government Area, where he addressed party members and supporters.
Addressing the public, he stressed that only a credible, vote-based primary would reflect the true wishes of party stakeholders across the district.
According to him, any consensus arrangement that does not carry all stakeholders along is inconsistent with democratic norms and party guidelines, declaring that where agreement is lacking, the party’s constitution provides for an election to determine the candidate.
His comments come amid ongoing discussions within the APC over possible consensus options ahead of the next general elections.
Arise, who represented the district between 2007 and 2011, expressed confidence in his popularity across the five Local Government Areas in Ekiti North, adding that his track record and longstanding relationship with constituents would give him an edge in a free and fair primary election.
