Edo 2024: Former NBA President, Olumide Akpata, Declares Guber Ambition

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The immediate past President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata, yesterday in Benin City, capital of Edo State, formally declared his intention to contest the state governorship election slated for September 21, 2024 under the platform of Labour Party (LP).

Akpata, who made the declaration at the LP Secretariat said he decided to step into the gubernatorial ring because of his interest in people’s welfare.

The LP aspirant also stated that his decision to aspire for the number one seat of the state on the platform of the party was because it is the only party that is people-oriented.

The lawyer turned politician, who lamented that the people have been taken out of the equation in governance and politics, added that if given the opportunity to fly the flag of LP in the forthcoming election, he will change the narrative.

He said: “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. Nobody care about the people.

“So, when I look around, the only party I find to be people-oriented and to be 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.”

Akpata promised to take the Labour Party to greater heights in the event that he emerged as the candidate of the party in the primary.

Earlier, while receiving Akpata at the Labour Party secretariat, the state party chairman, Kelly Igbaloi, said the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party, has accepted Akpata to run, just as he promised to provide a level playing ground for all the governorship aspirants during primaries.