The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that there will be no automatic ticket for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State in the upcoming 2024 governorship election. Aiyedatiwa assumed office in December 2023 following the death of the former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and is expected to complete their joint tenure, ending in February 2025. However, he is also eligible to contest the November 16 governorship poll in the state.
APC’s spokesperson, Felix Morka, clarified during a television interview that the party does not offer “free gifts” and that positions are meant to be contested. Morka emphasized the democratic principles of the party, stating that decisions on candidates are subject to the democratic process involving party members in direct or indirect primaries.
When asked about the possibility of offering Aiyedatiwa the right of first refusal, Morka explained that such discussions had not taken place, and any candidate, including the governor, would need to justify their suitability, qualification, or criteria through the democratic decision of party members in the primaries. He highlighted that APC does not provide automatic tickets but encourages competition within the party.