Edo Guber: After Electoral Woe, Akpata Says He Remains Committed To Future Political Participation

Despite describing the recent Edo State gubernatorial election as “deeply flawed,” Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate, remains committed to future political participation.

In an interview on Channels TV, Akpata emphasized that one questionable election result won’t deter him from working towards improving Nigeria and Edo State.

Akpata lamented the low voter turnout, with only 2% of eligible voters participating, and rampant vote buying, which he claims significantly impacted the outcome. He noted that approximately 300,000 of the 500,000 votes cast were bought, making it difficult to accept the result as a true reflection of the people’s will.

The Labour Party was unable to compete financially with other parties that engaged in vote buying, Akpata said. However, he remains undeterred, committed to making a positive difference in Nigeria and Edo State.

Akpata also addressed accusations made by Labour Party Chairman, Julius Abure, that he bought his party ticket. He dismissed the claims, stating that his contributions to the party, including providing resources, were done to strengthen the party, not for personal gain.

Regarding challenging the election result, Akpata revealed that he and the Labour Party are consulting with lawyers and gathering evidence before deciding on next steps.

In his closing remarks, Akpata called for a renewed focus on Nigeria’s electoral integrity, warning that continued flawed elections could threaten the country’s democracy. “The focus should not be on whether the Labour Party or I won, but on the larger issue of electoral integrity. If this trend continues, we risk losing our democracy altogether.”

Akpata’s commitment to Nigeria’s future is unwavering, despite the challenges faced in the recent election. His background as a legal practitioner and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association underscores his dedication to promoting integrity and democracy in Nigeria’s electoral process