One of the contenders for the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship ticket in Ondo State, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has said that the ruling party must throw open its ticket for the poll.

He spoke ahead of the APC primary for the November 16, 2024, Ondo State Governorship Election.

Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said he is not afraid of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who declared his governorship bid on Tuesday.

The lawmaker was on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

Asked whether Aiyedatiwa should be given a chance of first refusal, Ibrahim said, “What are you refusing? Was Asiwaju given a chance of first refusal? What is democracy? It is democratisation.

“If you are competent and you have your strategy, why are you afraid of competition? Go to the field. If you are elected, so be it.”

Asked whether he is afraid of the incumbent governor, the lawmaker said, “How can I be afraid of Aiyedatiwa? With my Harvard strategy? My Harvard knowledge, how can I be afraid of Aiyedatiwa?

“Go and ask about me from (ex-governor Olusegun) Mimiko. Go and ask about me in the last PDP election in Ondo. Go and ask about how Akeredolu got his first term in Ondo, who was behind it in terms of mobilising and creating social awareness.”

Aiyedatiwa, then Ondo deputy governor, succeeded Akeredolu after the latter’s death on December 27, 2023.

Aiyedatiwa, who declared his governorship bid on Tuesday, said it was the wish of the late Akeredolu that he (Aiyedatiwa) succeeded him as the governor of the state.