The Labour Party (LP), under the leadership of Julius Abure, has pointed fingers at its gubernatorial candidate in the recent Edo State elections, Barr. Olumide Akpata, and political figure Peter Obi, blaming them for the party’s disappointing results.
The party first extended its congratulations to the newly elected Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), acknowledging their victory as well-deserved.
The LP also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what they termed one of the fairest, freest, and most peaceful elections in Nigeria’s history. Publicity Secretary Abayomi Arabambi, in a statement released to the media in Abeokuta, Ogun State, criticized those who accused INEC of bias and fraud, asserting that such critics are merely failing to learn from past experiences.
Arabambi remarked, “Whatever INEC decides is correct. The issue lies with Nigerians and their leaders; if something doesn’t work in our favor, we deem it wrong, yet if it does favor us, even if flawed, we hail it as right.”
He recalled that just a week prior, Obi and Alex Otti praised INEC, despite allegations regarding the expiration of Abure’s tenure. This was after their attendance at a national convention in Nnewi, where Otti sponsored the event and had representatives present, yet they attempted to challenge INEC’s legitimacy when it suited their agenda.
The party attributed its electoral defeat to the heavy-handedness, deceit, and power-hungry tendencies of Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti, suggesting that these traits undermined the LP and contributed significantly to its loss.
Additionally, the LP noted that Akpata’s candidacy was undermined by his shared local government and Senatorial District with the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, suggesting that voters preferred a candidate from Edo Central, which was the strategy employed by both the APC and PDP.
Arabambi condemned Obi’s statement that INEC’s actions would have future repercussions, calling it an affront to the people of Edo who sought fairness and justice for the Edo Central Senatorial District, which he claimed Obi opposed.
The party also criticized Akpata for implying that the election favored the highest bidder, asserting that he lacks the moral authority to make such claims. “Olumide Akpata has no grounds to complain about vote-buying. He himself purchased Labour Party delegates during the primaries to secure his candidacy, providing them with vehicles and even resorting to police intimidation against dissenters,” Arabambi stated.
In closing, the Labour Party urged the people of Edo to support their newly elected governor, affirming that under Abure’s leadership, the party would continue to adhere to its constitutional principles.
