FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Mr Olumide Akpata, the candidate of the Labour Party in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, has rejected the recent dissolution of the party’s executives in the state and declared his support for the Kelly Ogbaloi-led executives in the state.
Akpata insisted that Ogbaloi was the authentic State Chairman of the party because according to him, there was no ‘legal instrument’ by the party organs stating that he had been removed from office.
The former Nigerian Bar Association President stated this during an enlarged meeting of the party in Benin City.
Akpata added that the leadership crisis rocking the party in the state was a distraction, but noted that it won’t affect his chances of winning the September 21, 2024 election.
He stated that “…voters would only listen to the message Akpata has for them and if they are convinced, they will vote for me.
“I am a lawyer and have practised for 30 years and also a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). In this situation, you follow the rules.
He said, as a member of the Labour Party and a key stakeholder in the process, I am yet to see any instrument appointing anybody else as chairman.
“Secondly, we know the procedure for changing the State Working Committee, and I have not seen that procedure being activated.
Akpata further said, I am aligning with legitimacy and the law is with Ogbaloi. We have organs that are responsible for our party.
