Ex NBA President Akpata enters Edo governorship race, says 'my interest is the people'

Former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Olumide Akpata, has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election in 2024, announcing his candidacy under the banner of the Labour Party (LP).

Akpata made this declaration during a visit to the Edo State Secretariat of the LP located in Benin City, which took place on Thursday.

During the event, Akpata emphasized that his decision to enter the political arena stemmed from a desire to prioritize the well-being of the people of Edo State. He voiced his concern that, in the current state of Nigerian politics and governance, the interests of the people have often been disregarded. In his own words, “My interest is for the people of Edo State. And what I find in politics and governance in Nigeria today is that the people have been taken out of the equation. Nobody seems to care about the people.”

Akpata continued, explaining why he chose the Labour Party as his platform for this political endeavor. He described the party as “people-centric” and “people-oriented,” highlighting its commitment to the welfare of the citizens. He stated, “And when I look around, the only party I find to be people-centric and people-oriented and to be interested in the lots of our people is the Labour Party of Nigeria. It is therefore fitting that it is with this party that I have come to pitch my tent, and it is on the platform of this party that I would like to run for the governor of Edo State.”

This announcement comes approximately two months after Akpata officially joined the Labour Party, expressing his eagerness to actively contribute to addressing the challenges facing the state. Regarding his party affiliation, he stated, “Quite a number of people have called/messaged me to confirm the news, currently making the rounds, that I have joined a political party. Yes…I joined the @labourparty_ng in March this year and on Sunday I attended my first Ward Meeting at Oredo Ward 6, in Benin City, where I was formally introduced to members of the Ward and presented with my Party membership card.”

Akpata admitted that his decision to enter politics marked a significant and deliberate step for him. He acknowledged feeling weary of constant complaints about Nigeria’s issues and decided to take action rather than merely lamenting the problems. He concluded, “This, for me, is the start of a very important journey, and it is my prayer that I arrive safely at my destination.”