In a significant turn of events, Olumide Akpata, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has emerged as the Labour Party’s chosen candidate for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, scheduled for September 2024.
Securing a notable 316 votes, Akpata demonstrated his popularity in the exercise conducted in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, last Friday.
The announcement of Akpata’s victory was made by Ikechukwu Emeta, the Deputy Governor of Abia State and the returning officer for the election.
Months prior to this triumph, Akpata had expressed his aspirations for the Edo State governorship race under the Labour Party. His formal declaration took place in October at the Edo LP secretariat in Benin City, where he articulated his decision, attributing it to his deep-seated affection for the people
“My interest is for the people of Edo State. And what I find out about politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. Nobody cares about the people,” Akpata told the mammoth crowd that welcomed him.
“So, when I look around, the only party I find to be people-oriented and interested in lots of our people is the Labour Party. So I have come here to express my interest and to carry the people along.”
