By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A former Senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Ayo Arise, has applauded the screening exercise for aspirants under the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the run-up to the 2027 General elections.

Speaking on the ongoing exercise, he stressed that it was ideal to get the right persons to fly the flag of the party at different levels for integrity reasons.

Arise, who is eyeing re-election in the Red Chamber, maintained it was unsurprising that certain persons were axed from contesting based on the fact that no responsible party will put forward persons of shady character to represent it in government.

The senate returnee hopeful added that the party did the right thing by going further to set up an appeal panel to re-examine such cases for fairness and justice.

Meanwhile, Arise expressed confidence that he would win the senatorial ticket based on his record of service.

According to him, his record remains unsurpassed since leaving the senate, even as he lamented the stagnation of development in the senatorial District.

“Except for one or two persons who are against my aspiration, the entire senatorial District is with me,

“During my time in the Senate, I brought unprecedented development to my Senatorial District, including a Federal University.

“Those who took over after me are nowhere near my record, many years after leaving the Senate. The roads leading to my senatorial District are in bad condition, especially as you leave the Dongore axis in Kogi State.

“Some people in the state government have been going around dropping the name of the Governor, whom we are backing for a second term, but the Governor says he has no preferred candidate.

“As the candidate to beat in these senatorial primaries, my intention is to replicate what Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, is doing in the Central Senatorial District in Ekiti North.

“But some people are banking on using thugs to disrupt the primaries, and I have told my people to record such incidents. Anyone found culpable will face the full wrath of the law and may end up in jail.

“However, I remain undaunted, because my records and accomplishments will speak for me and make me clinch the ticket.”