Police invitation of Akpata not my problem - LP Chairman

The Edo Police Command has formally invited the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 21 September governorship election in the State, Olumide Akpata, over alleged security breaches, involving shootings at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Ugbowo Campus, last Friday.

Spokesman for the Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed this to All Time Post in Benin.

Nwabuzor said that the invitation was served on the Senior Advocate by investigators in the political desk section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Command Headquarters, Benin, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

He further explained that the invitation was part of investigation into the crisis by the police Command.

Meanwhile, the state chairman of the Labour Party, Mr. Kelly Ogbaloi, has also confirmed receipt of police invitation on the issue.

He, however, described the incident as Akpata’s private affair that had nothing to do with the party.

He said: “Barr. Olumide Akpata is our candidate, but UNIBEN invited him to honour him on personal note. I didn’t sign surety of his safety there. I don’t know why the police is equally inviting me to come along with Barrister Olumide Akpata.

“The police ought to have done their background checks, his being honoured by UNIBEN had nothing to do with our party Secretariat, so I don’t know why I am being asked to come along with him to police Command Headquarters in Benin. However, I will honour the invitation.”

The Edo LP chairman who said he was not in Benin when the letter was delivered, however assured that he would honour the invitation.

It would be recalled that the LP governorship candidate had attended an investiture ceremony on the invitation of UNIBEN Staff Club.

The event, however, turned violent when the venue was invaded by some persons whom the Apkata campaign committee alleged were agents of the state government with the intention to assassinate him.