The All Progressives Congress (APC) has conveyed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State that there will be no automatic ticket for him in the upcoming November 16, 2024, governorship election. The announcement was made by APC national spokesman, Felix Morka, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Thursday.
Morka reiterated the democratic nature of the APC, emphasizing that every individual seeking a nomination must earn it. When questioned about the possibility of giving Aiyedatiwa the right of first refusal in the party’s primary, Morka stated, “We are a democratic party; we are a progress party; we don’t give anything to people; people have to justify and earn it.”
He further explained that the assessment of suitability, qualifications, and criteria is not solely determined by the party but by the people of the state, who are APC members participating in the direct or indirect primary. Morka emphasized that in the APC, preferences are subject to the democratic decision of party members engaged in the primaries.
Responding to questions about whether the governorship ticket would be zoned in Ondo, Morka stated that the party is yet to engage in zoning discussions. He assured that if and when zoning discussions occur, the party would communicate with the people.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who formerly served as Ondo deputy governor, assumed the role of the substantive governor on December 27, 2023, following the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already scheduled the Ondo State Governorship Poll for November 16, 2024, pending any last-minute changes.
