Former Senator who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District, senator. Ayo Arise, has charged leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the district to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming elections in the state and at the national level.
Arise gave the charge during a strategic meeting with APC Local Government Chairmen,Women leaders,youth leaders,Ward Chairmen, youth and women leaders from across Ekiti North Senatorial District on Saturday at his country home in Oye Ekiti.
Addressing the party leaders, the former lawmaker urged them to work hard to ensure overwhelming victories for governor Biodun Oyebanji in the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State and for president Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Arise tasked the party leaders to mobilise massively at the grassroots and ensure that the party doubles the number of votes recorded for President Tinubu during the 2023 general election and that of Governor Oyebanji in the 2022 governorship poll.
According to him, both leaders have demonstrated commendable commitment to governance and development, noting that their performances deserve renewed and stronger mandates from the electorate. He said the meeting was convened to strengthen party unity and reinforce strategies that would consolidate the APC’s dominance in Ekiti North and the state at large.
The former senator also used the opportunity to formally declare his intention to contest the Ekiti North Senatorial seat in the 2027 general election. Arise said he was prepared to return to the Senate to further advance the development of the district through qualitative and robust legislation as well as effective representation.
The former lawmaker, who represented Ekiti North at Sixth senate, said his renewed aspiration was driven by a commitment to further facilitate development projects that would positively transform the lives of residents across the senatorial district.
He urged party leaders to support his aspiration, stressing that his past record of service remains visible across the district.
He cited the establishment of the Federal University Oye‑Ekiti as one of his landmark achievements while serving in the Senate, noting that the institution has brought immense economic and social benefits to Oye-Ekiti and over fourteen neighbouring communities.
According to Senator Arise, the presence of the university which is ranked the fouth most sought in Nigeria has stimulated local commerce, increased employment opportunities and boosted infrastructural development in the neighbouring towns . The former senator assured the leaders that more communities would benefit from new federal projects and empowerment programmes if he secures the party’s ticket.
“I have the experience and the track record. I have done it before and impacted lives both individually and collectively. Communities benefited from various projects and, by the grace of God, more will be facilitated,” he said.
Senator Arise added that communities that did not directly benefit from FUOYE would be considered for future development initiatives, promising that his representation would open new opportunities and make life more bearable for residents of Ekiti North.
“I am not seeking personal wealth. My priority is the wellbeing of our people. I will continue to serve with sincerity and commitment,” he stated.
He urged party leaders and stakeholders in the district to remain united and stand firmly behind his aspiration , assuring them that his return to the Senate would translate into greater dividends of democracy for the people of Ekiti North.
The meeting turned celebratory as the leaders expressed excitement over his declaration, singing songs in appreciation of his contributions to the district and praying for his victory in the forthcoming political contest.
Speaking on behalf of the leaders, the woman leader from Ido-Osi Local Government, Mrs Olayinka Grace, the youth leader, Mr Idowu Dele, and the Oye Local Government woman leader, Chief Mrs Fayemi Apeke, commended Arise’s achievements as they described him as a leader who prioritises the welfare of the people and pledged to mobilise support across their wards to ensure his victory, declaring that “one good turn deserves another.”