23rd February, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
Olumide Akpata, former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been elected candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for the 21 September governorship election in Edo State.
He polled 316 votes to defeat other aspirants.
The declared result showed that Kenneth Imansuangbon scored 7 votes, Professor Sunday Eromosele 7 votes, Sergius Ogun 4.
The chief returning officer of the election and Deputy Governor of Abia state, Engr. Emechulu Ikecbukwu, noted that the party represents truth, hard work and transparency.
Ikecbukwu who thanked the aspirants for showing the spirit of sportsmanship, also encouraged Akpata to carry other aspirants along.
In his acceptance speech, Akpata paid tribute to the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.
He added that the trajectory of Akeredolu whom he described as his mentor and predecessor as national chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, was what he had been following.
Akpata declared his intention to contest the Edo 2024 governorship election in October 2023.
Speaking in Benin while declaring his ambition, the former NBA President said he decided to contest on the platform of the LP because the party was people-oriented.
He promised to take the Labour Party to greater heights if he emerged as the candidate of the party in the primary.
He also said he has the experience and the capacity to lead the people of Edo.
“My interest is for the people of Edo State. And what I find out in politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. No body cares about the people.
“So, when I look around, the only party I find to be people-oriented and interested in the lots of our people is Labour Party.
“So I have come here to express my interest and to carry the people along,” he said.
The Edo governorship election, according to INEC time table, is scheduled for Sept. 21, 2024