By Samuel Sunday
Former senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Senator Ayo Arise, on Saturday described the Ekiti State governorship election as peaceful, orderly and largely free of intimidation.
Speaking with journalists at his country home in Oye-Ekiti after casting his vote, Arise said initial concerns about a possible low voter turnout did not materialise, noting that participation was comparable to previous elections.
Arise said the election process in his polling unit was smooth and transparent, adding that voters exercised their civic responsibility without harassment or disruption.
According to him, he did not witness any incident of vote buying or electoral malpractice, as he spent only a short time at the polling unit before returning home.
Arise said he had earlier encouraged members of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to come out and vote peacefully, stressing that Nigeria’s electoral system would continue to improve over time.
The former lawmaker also commended officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security personnel, describing them as professional and orderly throughout the process.
He recounted returning home to retrieve his Permanent Voter Card, PVC, after initially arriving without it, saying he deliberately followed due process despite being widely known in the area.
Speaking on the results from his polling unit, Arise said the APC recorded a comfortable victory, adding that the voting pattern was consistent with previous elections in the area.
On his ongoing legal challenge regarding a previous party matter, the former senator said only President Bola Tinubu could persuade him to withdraw the case, insisting that any decision would depend on assurances from the party’s highest leadership.
He urged the eventual winner of the governorship election to prioritise development and deliver good governance that would improve the lives of Ekiti residents.
“The position belongs to the people of Ekiti. Whoever emerges victorious must ensure that development reaches every part of the state and that the people enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.
The APC chieftain has congratulated Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on his victory in the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
In a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Arise described Oyebanji’s victory as a testament to his commitment to the development of the state.
Arise commended Ekiti voters for turning out en masse to vote for Oyebanji and his deputy, Mrs. Monisola Afuye, for a second term, adding that the action would facilitate more infrastructure and development across the state.
According to him, continuity of Governor Oyebanji will witness further transformation in roads, education, health, agriculture, the civil service and other sectors.
The 2027 Ekiti North Senatorial District hopeful, however, stressed the need for unity, justice and fairness within the APC in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
