Labour Party Candidate Akpata Firmly Rejects Call for Replacement

In Edo State, a faction within the Labour Party (LP) known as the Shine Your Eyes Group (SYEG) has raised the call for the replacement of Olumide Akpata, the gubernatorial candidate slated for the September 21st election.

In a statement released yesterday by the Coordinator, Comrade Jonah Ifada, and Secretary Osagie Omoregie, the group urged party leaders to intervene to prevent potential legal entanglements for the party and its candidate, citing “weighty allegations” presented in a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Benin and Abuja. These allegations question the legitimacy of Akpata’s emergence, raised by one of the gubernatorial aspirants, Kenneth Imansuangbon.

The crux of the matter before the court revolves around whether the party adhered to the designated time frame and constitutional provisions in substituting Akpata’s running mate, Faith Alufokhai.

The group emphasized that responsibility should not be shifted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for perceived irregularities within the party, stressing that INEC had no role in the nomination of Alufokhai for LP.

In response, Akpata stood firm, affirming his status as the LP’s standard-bearer in Edo. He called upon his supporters to maintain composure, abide by the law, and uphold peace amidst the ongoing developments.