Edo Election: “I Won’t Accept Any Position from Okpebholo” – Akpata Reiterates, Reveals Next Steps

Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the recent Edo State governorship election, has declared that he will not accept any position from the incoming administration of Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate who was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking in an interview on Arise Television, Akpata reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining a strong opposition role, stating that he is considering a legal challenge against the election results after his legal team reviews the process.

INEC announced Okpebholo as the winner with 291,667 votes, while Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured 247,274 votes to take second place. Akpata finished in third place with 22,763 votes.

“I will not work with the government,” Akpata stated emphatically. “One key feature of a vibrant democracy is a vibrant opposition. We will naturally play that role, holding the government accountable and ensuring transparency in governance.”

Akpata expressed his readiness to challenge the election results if necessary but ruled out any possibility of collaborating with the Okpebholo administration. “When you say work with the government, meaning accepting positions, that is absolutely out of the question. We will remain as a Labour Party and play our role as opposition.”

He further emphasized that the Labour Party would serve as a watchdog, ensuring the incoming government upholds the interests of the people, stating, “We will hold their feet to the fire, calling them out when necessary.”

Akpata concluded his remarks by dismissing any notion of political opportunism, saying, “We will not participate in political Halloween, jumping ship just because someone is declared the winner. That will not happen.”