Just in: Former NBA president Olumide Akpata clinches Labour Party governorship ticket in Edo State
Olumide Akpata, former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has secured the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidacy in Edo State.
Akpata emerged victorious in the LP primary election held in Benin City, the state capital, on Friday, after securing the highest number of votes.
The legal icon got 316 votes to defeat other aspirants in a landslide victory.
The Deputy Governor of Abia State Ikechukwu Emeta declared Akpata as the winner of the election.
“I hereby declare as follows: 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,” Emeta who is also the chief returning officer for the election said.
Speaking after his emergence, Akpata paid tribute to a former governor of Ondo State and NBA president Rotimi Akeredolu who was buried today. Akeredolu died after a long-term battle with prostate cancer.
He also thanked his supporters and members of the party for their support as he vowed to work for the good of the state if he wins the governorship election.
“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,” Akpata told the mammoth crowd that welcomed him.
“So, when I look around, the only party I find to be people-oriented and interested in lots of our people is the Labour Party. So I have come here to express my interest and to carry the people along.”
