By Ejire Folakunmi
A former federal lawmaker and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ayo Arise, has dismissed claims that he is being sponsored by former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Arise said the claims are unfounded, noting that Fayemi had previously opposed his senatorial ambitions while serving as governor of Ekiti State.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the former lawmaker said he has not benefited politically from the party at either the state or federal level.
“I’m not a hungry man. As we speak, I don’t have anything to point to that the party has done for me, either in Ekiti or at the federal level,” he said.
He explained that attempts to associate him with Fayemi’s political structure overlook his past experiences.
“Whenever I indicate interest, they say I’m Fayemi’s person, forgetting that when Fayemi was governor, I contested two or three times and he did not support me. He backed other candidates,” Arise added.
The former senator said the perception may have been influenced by a recent meeting involving Fayemi and other stakeholders, where discussions centred on the need for experienced politicians to represent the state in the Senate.
He, however, maintained that his political decisions are independent and not influenced by any former governor.
