He was elected Senator for the Imo North (Okigwe) constituency of Imo State, Nigeria at the start of the Nigerian Fourth Republic, running on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
He took office on 29 May, 1999.
He was re-elected in April 2003.
After taking his seat in the Senate in June 1999, Ararume was appointed to committees on Communications, Police Affairs, Federal Character, Finance & Appropriation, Information and Niger Delta (vice chair).Ararume won the PDP primaries in 2007 to run for governor of Imo State.
The party chose to run Charles Ugwu in his place.
Ararume protested this decision and secured a Supreme Court ruling in his favor.
The party expelled him and chose not to field a candidate, leaving the field open for Ikedi Ohakim of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).