Olumide Akpata, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has secured the Labour Party (LP) ticket for the upcoming governorship election in Edo State. The LP primary, held in Benin City on Friday, saw Akpata receiving 316 votes, making him the party’s chosen candidate for the September 2024 election.
The announcement of Akpata’s victory was made by the Chief Returning Officer for the election, Ikechukwu Emeta, who is also the Deputy Governor of Abia State. In his declaration, Emeta stated, “Mr. Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, having scored the highest number of votes and certified the provisions of the constitution of the party, is hereby declared the winner and the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party for the Edo State governorship election 2024.”
Expressing gratitude for the support received, Akpata paid tribute to the late Rotimi Akeredolu, a former governor of Ondo State and NBA president, who was buried on the same day. Akpata thanked his supporters and LP members, pledging to work for the welfare of the state if he emerges victorious in the governorship election.
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Akpata’s entrance into Edo State politics came in October, as he formally declared his interest in the governorship race under the Labour Party. During his visit to the Edo LP secretariat in Benin City, he emphasized his commitment to people-oriented politics, stating, “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.”
In August of the previous year, Olumide Akpata, a 51-year-old corporate lawyer, resigned from the law firm Templars, where he served as a senior partner. The firm issued a statement announcing his departure to engage in active politics. Akpata officially joined the Labour Party in the same month, expressing his desire to actively contribute to the political process.
Akpata’s emergence as the LP gubernatorial candidate adds a new dimension to the political landscape in Edo State, and his campaign will likely focus on addressing the concerns and aspirations of the people. The September election is anticipated to be a closely watched contest as different political actors vie for the opportunity to lead the state.