Ado-Ekiti—FORMER Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Mr. Ayo Arise yesterday said he stands a better chance to win the 2018 governorship election for the All Progressives Congress, APC, than former governors Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Arise Arise said this in Oye Ekiti, after a thanksgiving commemorating his release from kidnappers’ den held at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Pro Cathedral Church in the town.
Arise was kidnapped in 2017 along Lokoja – Abuja road while returning to the FCT after visiting Ekiti State and was held by his captors for six days.
Speaking on his governorship ambition, he said the two former governors have contributed to the development of the state and that time has come for a fresh blood to be allowed to govern the state.
He said: “Going by the mood in town, the people prefer a new person than those they have seen in the past.”
The former Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization, said: “APC wants to win the coming election at all cost and they need a popular candidate and they know I am the best for the job so that our strategy can work.”
On whether he would step down for either Oni or Fayemi, who were his political allies, Arise said: “I am not going to step down for anybody.”
He said the issue of zoning is not applicable to a homogenous state like Ekiti, saying though the south senatorial district has the right to produce the governor but such shouldn’t be realized through zoning of the governorship ticket.
“Both Oni and Fayemi are my good friends. I contested as a Senator when Oni vied for the governorship in 2007. The two of them have ruled Ekiti and now is my own turn.”
“Even if I step down for any of them, I can only guarantee them my own vote at the primary, because the delegates are adults who can take decisions on their own”.