Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate in the recently concluded Edo governorship election, has vowed not to abandon his ambition to lead the South-South state, emphasizing that achieving his goal will take more than just one election attempt.
Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), made this known during a review of the election on a monitored program on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. The Edo governorship election, held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, saw residents cast their votes to choose a successor to the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Following a fiercely contested race, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the winner, with Akpata finishing in third place.
During the interview, Akpata expressed that the election was marred by vote buying, voter apathy, and violence, which he believes impacted his chances. Despite the outcome, he remains undeterred and is committed to running again in future elections.
"I have said it over and over again. We are here to fix Nigeria and Edo State. We joined hands with like-minded people to ensure that we fix our country and my state," he said. "I am ready to continue with this. I want to be able to tell my grandchildren what I did when Nigeria was at this difficult time. So, it’s going to take more than one election."
Akpata also mentioned that he is considering a legal challenge to the election results, stating that he will consult with his lawyers and the Labour Party to decide on the next course of action.
"I have the benefit of seeing this as an insider, and a practitioner within the justice sector," Akpata explained. "It is a decision that the Labour Party and I have to take jointly on whether or not we will challenge the outcome of the election. I will be meeting with my lawyers, and the Labour Party will also consult its legal team before making a final decision."
