Former Senator Ayo Arise has described the just concluded All Progressive Congress direct primary a distorted election and unacceptable alleging widespread irregularities and acts of violence during the senatorial primary election held in Ekiti North on Monday, describing the process as the most shameful election he has witnessed in the state.
Addressing journalists in Oye – Ekiti after the exercise, Arise said he anticipated interference and accused some officials of employing methods and tactics that do not follow the tenets of democracy thereby, describing the process as the most shameful election he has witnessed in the state.
“The moment you defeat the spirit of democracy, you have defeated the people and democracy,” he stated.
Arise said he proceeded with his candidacy because of the support he received across the senatorial district. He commended voters in most local government areas for their reception, noting that the only area where he encountered significant challenges was Ilejemeje Local Government.
“In that local government, they injured one of our cameramen and beat him almost to a pulp. Since we have the video, we will report it to the highest authority and engage legal counsel to ensure the perpetrator is prosecuted,” he said.
The former senator further alleged that electoral officers disappeared with results in several areas where he claimed to be leading. In Moba Local Government, he said counting was halted after 504 votes had been recorded for him, after which different figures were later presented.
“Wherever they say we are winning, they disappear with the documents, go and write the results, and that is what they are presenting,” he said. Adding that similar incidents were reported in Ikole, Ido/Osi, and Oye Local Government areas.
Arise stated that he would formally petition the APC national headquarters and submit video evidence of the alleged irregularities. He called on the party leadership and security agencies to ensure that an accurate account of the exercise is documented and addressed.
“I will do my best to ensure that democracy thrives in this country and that corruption is reduced. The person in power today can become a victim tomorrow. That is why we should think more about the future and ensure things are done rightly,” he said.
He expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu and the APC national chairman would act on the evidence presented, noting that both leaders believe in democracy.
In a separate account, Chief Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, the Obalodo of Ilodo Kingdom in Oye Ekiti, described the process in his ward as peaceful but noted delays in the arrival of materials.
“The election in my ward, Oye LG Ward 2, was peaceful and orderly. The government provided security and there was no chaos. It is commendable,” he said.
Oguntoyinbo said voting did not commence until between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., though voters had gathered from 9 a.m. He also expressed support for the option A4 voting method used in the primary, stating that it made voting patterns clearer.
“This was done in the past during Abiola’s time. If we had continued using it, it would have been better. It is better than the delegate system where you don’t always know where votes are going,” he said.
He urged the National Assembly to review and strengthen electoral procedures ahead of future primaries.
